SMU Data and Models
SMU Survey: Steel Mills More Willing to Negotiate Pricing
Written by John Packard
November 20, 2014
The vast majority of our SMU steel survey respondents reported the domestic steel mills as willing to negotiate flat rolled steel prices this week.
Those reporting the mills as willing to negotiate hot rolled prices increase by 2 percent to 70 percent of the respondents.
Cold rolled jumped by an even greater margin from 52 percent to 71 percent. Only 29 percent told SMU that the domestic mills were not negotiating CR prices this week.
Galvanized increased by 8 percent from 71 percent to 79 percent.
Galvalume jumped by 9 percentage points from 58 percent to 67 percent.
You can see how negotiations have been trending since the middle of June 2014. You are also welcome to go online where you can find the total history regarding mill negotiations.
Below is an interactive graphic of the Steel Market Update Steel Mill Negotiation History, but it can only be seen when you are logged into the website and reading the newsletter online. If you need any assistance logging in or navigating the website, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.
{amchart id=”113″ SMU Negotiations by Product- Survey}
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models
SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment rebounds from multi-year low
Both of SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices edged higher this week. Current Sentiment rebounded from a near five-year low, while Future Sentiment rose to a two-month high
SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
SMU Survey: Sheet lead times pull back after early-June blip, plate holds
Following the uptick seen two weeks ago, lead times eased this week for all four sheet products tracked by SMU, while plate lead times held steady, according to this week’s market survey.
SMU Survey: Pricing power abruptly shifts to steel buyers
The majority of steel buyers responding to our latest market survey say domestic mills are more willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were earlier this month. Sheet negotiation rates rebounded across the board compared to early June, while our plate negotiation rate hit a full 100%.
Service centers: Mill orders down marginally in May
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) declined for a third straight month in May, but only marginally.