It’s been an incredible year for ASA as 2019 comes to a close. After serving the industry as your national association for the past 50 years, we’re focused on what the future holds for our industry. 

I’m not sure if everyone reading this article will agree with me, but hasn’t 2019 seemed like a long year? 

Valve prices according to the Producer Price Index were up 0.3% month‐over‐month in October (flat last month). On a year‐over‐year basis, prices were up 2.3% (up 2.8% last month).

Nickel prices have fallen over the past 30 days to @$6.80 per lb. ($7.71 in the last update).

The resin increase scheduled for October didn’t happen and some are forecasting a slight dip in November.

We expect to see a ~5% increase by mid‐2020 on the back of projected steel scrap increases.

Inventory levels are strong, supporting current demand and lead time requirements. No price increases expected through 2019.

Price and lead times will remain flat into 1Q20. Forged steel fitting demand has softened YoY.

The producer price index for copper tube and fittings was up 3.3% month‐over‐month (down 2.4% in the last update) and was down 3.3% year-over‐year (down 4.5% Y/Y last month).