A third round of tariffs did take effect and a 10% duty was applied to certain materials from China. 

Stainless steel pipe, fittings and flange prices also were decelerating at the end of the year after hitting a four-year peak in October.

The expectation is that prices for HDPE will remain lower until spring. 

The total volume of imports to the U.S. started to fall off in November of 2017.

Prices for products are elevated, and one of the main drivers of these price hikes has been the cost of scrap steel.

Copper prices have rebounded slightly after a deceleration trend that started in June. 

U.S. carbon steel pipe prices started decelerating from a peak in October. 

A number of factors continue to push fitting and flange prices higher. 

There has been little to no change since last month’s report.

There has been little to no change since last month’s report.