RMDAS Ferrous Scrap Pricing Regains Ground

The most commonly traded grades of ferrous scrap fetched several dollars more per ton in December, regaining almost dollar-for-dollar the value lost the previous month, according to figures compiled by the Raw Material Data Aggregation Service (RMDAS) of Management Science Associates Inc. (MSA), Pittsburgh.

Nationally, mill buyers paid $6 per ton more on average for prompt industrial No. 1 busheling and bundles, No. 1 heavy melting scrap (HMS), and No. 2 shredded scrap. (To view full price report click on the following link -- Complete Index Pricing) 

After retreating for two consecutive months, prices paid by mills for ferrous scrap rebounded in early December, providing hope for processors who like to see higher prices that can bring out more scrap. To see a larger version of the chart click on the following link -- December Pricing

With 2006 pricing concluded, the year can officially go into the books as a remarkable one.

Using RMDAS pricing as a yardstick, average mill prices for shredded scrap never fell below $200 per ton.

Although there was some volatility (average monthly prices for MSA’s number 2 shredded scrap grade ranged from $222 to $277), the average price for shredded scrap never fell below $200 per ton and never soared to $300.

The Raw Material Data Aggregation Service (RMDAS) Ferrous Scrap Price Index is based on data gathered from a statistically significant compilation of verified ferrous scrap purchase transactions.

RMDAS is a service of Management Science Associates Inc. (MSA), Pittsburgh. Those seeking more information about RMDAS can contact MSA’s Ralph Pinkert at 773-588-1199 or via e-mail at RPinkert@MSA.com.