SMU Data and Models
SMU MoMo Negative for Tenth Week
Written by Brett Linton
March 23, 2013
Utilizing a trailing average hot rolled coil (HRC) price, the SMU Price MoMo Index for flat rolled steel in the U.S. remained below zero percent this week for the tenth week after eight consecutive weeks of positive momentum readings.
MoMo is based upon the current hot rolled coil price weighed against the previous 12 week average spot price as recorded by Steel Market Update. MoMo, as we like to call it so as to not confuse it with our SMU Price Momentum Indicator, was measured at -0.68 percent this week. MoMo decreased 0.48 percent over last week’s measurement of -0.20 percent. The graph below demonstrates the relationship between hot rolled coil and the momentum in pricing.
The SMU MoMo meter – now negative– serves as a lagging indicator demonstrating the historical price momentum trend.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Survey: Sheet lead times ease further, plate hits one-year high
Steel buyers responding to this week’s SMU market survey report a continued softening in sheet lead times. Meanwhile, plate lead times have moderately extended and are at a one-year high.

SMU Survey: Buyers report more price flexibility from mills
Nearly half of the steel buyers responding to this week’s SMU market survey say domestic mills are showing increased willingness to negotiate pricing on new spot orders. This marks a significant shift from the firmer stance mills held in prior weeks.

SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment Indices fall
Current Sentiment Index dropped six points to +42 this week compared to two weeks earlier. It has fallen in every successive survey since reaching a 2025 high of +66 on Feb. 19.

March service center shipments and inventories report
Steel service center shipments and inventories report through March 2024.

Apparent steel supply contracts in February
The amount of finished steel that entered the US market in February receded from January’s peak, according to our analysis of Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.