- US scrap index rises; market turns cautious
- Weather improves flows; March prices seen stable
The RMDAS ferrous scrap index, tracking spot transactions for US steel mills and foundries, posted broad-based gains as of 21 February 2026 compared with 21 January.
Shredded scrap increased by $29/t m-o-m to $453/t (+7%), prompt industrial composite scrap rose by $31/t to $465/t (+7%), and HMS climbed by $29/t to $410/t (+8%).
However, sentiment in the domestic scrap market turned more cautious as February progressed. With weather conditions improving, scrap inflows are expected to normalise after months of disruption, potentially easing earlier supply tightness. Market participants indicated that current price levels may represent the peak of the recent uptrend.
Seasonal support is likely to taper off gradually. March prices are expected to remain largely stable, although a mild correction cannot be ruled out if negotiating power shifts back in favour of steelmakers.
Leave a Reply