US Superalloy prices increased across most grades during the week despite dropping LME nickel prices.
The weekly Davis Index for Hastelloy C inched up by a penny to $5.08/lb for single truckload delivered processor yard and increased for Hastelloy X by 10¢/lb to $3.77/lb delivered.
The index for Inconel 600 also jumped by 5¢/lb to $4.89/lb delivered and rose by 4¢/lb for 601 to $3.92/lb delivered processor yard.
Inconel 617 increased by 4¢/lb to $3.56/lb delivered processor yard though Inconel 625 Vac slipped by 3¢/lb to $4.24/lb delivered. The index for Inconel 718 Vac rose by 7¢/lb to $3.40/lb delivered processor yard.
The official LME Nickel cash contract closed Thursday at $17,535/mt, down by $127/mt from $17,662/mt on January 28.
Like stainless steel prices, Inconel prices have also risen this past week due to mill demand. However, some processors believe that superalloy buying prices may start getting affected if the LME nickel declines continue.