Open consultation on methodology for Northern Europe, US HRC indices

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodologies for its Northern Europe domestic HRC Index (MB-STE-0028 ) and steel hot-rolled coil index, fob mill US, $/cwt (MB-STE-0184) as part of its annual methodology review process.

This consultation, which is open until June 5, 2023, seeks to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical markets under indexation, in compliance with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles for Price Reporting Agencies (PRAs). This includes all elements of our pricing process, our price specifications and publication frequency.

You can find the current methodology for the Northern Europe HRC index here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology/metals/european-hrc-indices

The methodology for the US HRC index can be found here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology/metals/us-hrc-index

Please send responses in writing, preferably in electronic format, to the following address: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “Northern Europe/US HRC index annual review, 2023.” Please specify whether your response is confidential. Opinions offered in confidential responses may be referenced but will not be attributed in any way.

Fastmarkets will publish the outcome of this methodology review by June 7, 2023, including a summary of the feedback – with the exception of those responses marked as confidential. Any proposals to make material changes, discontinue or launch prices will involve a separate market consultation, the length of which will depend on how substantial the change is.

To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology.

What to read next
The publication of Fastmarkets' spot CIF CJK assessments for lithium carbonate min 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade; lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade; and battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate, midpoint transitional spread for Thursday July 2 was delayed because of reporter error. Fastmarkets' pricing database has been updated.
Fastmarkets has corrected its FP-PP-0002 polypropylene polymer, fiber grade, free delivered Europe, €/kg assessment, which was published incorrectly on July 1 due to a typo.
Fastmarkets has corrected its assessment for AG-CRN-0077 Corn FOB US PNW $/mt, published incorrectly on June 24 due to a procedural error.
Fastmarkets has launched a new iron ore blast-furnace (BF)-pellet quarterly contract premium and a monthly premium indicator for the European market, effective July 1, 2026.
Fastmarkets proposes to narrow the optimized range for MB-IRO-0020 iron ore fines, % Si VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/dmt, effective from August 3.
Fastmarkets proposes a methodology update to its AG-GRS-0005 Lard, fob Chicago, cts/lb price assessment, effective Tuesday August 4.