Superalloy prices increased or fell slightly, depending on grade amid low demand and falling LME Nickel prices.
The weekly Davis Index for Hastelloy C rose by 13¢/lb to $4.63/lb for single truckload delivered processor yard and was flat for Hastelloy X at $3.04/lb delivered.
The index for Inconel 600 increased by 0.5¢/lb to $4.05/lb delivered but remained unchanged for 601 at $3.21/lb delivered processor yard.
Inconel 617 fell by 0.2¢/lb to $3.06/lb delivered processor yard and Inconel 625 Vac was flat at $3.50/lb delivered. The index for Inconel 718 Vac was down by 3¢/lb to $2.78/lb delivered processor yard on Thursday.
The official LME Nickel cash contract closed Thursday at $15,393/mt, down by $345/mt from $15,738/mt on Oct 22.
Processors are finding it difficult to move their superalloy inventory due to weak demand. With dropping LME nickel prices and the year-end approaching soon, participants are expecting demand to remain low for the rest of the year.