NEW YORK — AK Steel Corp. has increased base prices for all carbon flat-rolled steel products by $40 per ton ($2 per hundredweight).

The West Chester, Ohio-based steelmaker said Jan. 21 that the move was effective immediately with all new orders.

A number of sheet buyers said last week they expected an increase was imminent, but that a potential price hike could prove challenging due to lackluster demand (amm.com, Jan. 16).