Driven by continued cost increases, Nucor Corp. has told customers in what appears to be a leading move that it will boost published base prices on special bar quality (SBQ) products by $30 per ton ($1.50 per hundredweight) at its Auburn, N.Y., bar mill beginning Jan. 1.

"All of our SBQ products will be going up accordingly," D. Michael Parrish, executive vice president of the Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker and head of its bar mill group, told AMM Monday. "Cold finish will have different increase amounts than hot rolled. Costs continue to increase and that is the primary reason (for the announced hike). Markets for our SBQ have been stable, with some positive help from the automotive sector."

Buyer reaction was mixed Monday as to whether...