The coronavirus pandemic has not caused production or delays in supply.

The demand for forged steel fittings and seamless nipples will weaken further if oil remains below the $30 / barrel range. 

Steel coil along with scrap has softened from weak demand in part due to virus concerns.

The Producer Price Index for copper tube and fittings was down 0.4% month-over-month (up 1.4% in the last update) and was down 3.0% year-over-year (also down 1.1% Y/Y last month). 

Producer prices for HDPE pipe were up .2% M/M (down .3% last month) and were down 3.0% Y/Y (down 3.8% Y/Y last month).  

Overall demand is slow and there is uncertainty given crude oil pricing and global scares with coronavirus.

Valve prices, according to the Producer Price Index, were up month-over-month in February by 0.1% (also up 0.2% M/M last month). 

Currently there have been no impacts on supply, capacity through ports and transportation could change that position in the coming weeks. 

The demand for forged steel fittings and seamless nipples will weaken further if oil remains near the $30 / barrel range after March.  

Nickel prices have fallen over the past 30 days to @$5.37 per lb. ($5.84 in the last update