SMU Data and Models

HRC Momentum Continues Negative Trend for 13th Week
Written by Brett Linton
November 21, 2014
The Steel Market Update Price MoMo Index for flat rolled steel in the U.S. indicates hot rolled coil price momentum continued its downward trend for the 13th week in a row. MoMo, which is a trailing indicator, is measured as a percentage and shows the relation of the current hot rolled coil (HRC) price movements against the previous 12-week average spot price as recorded by Steel Market Update. MoMo was measured at -1.87 percent this week, meaning that the current HRC price is lower than the average price over the last 12 weeks.
The change in MoMo can be a useful indicator in depicting the severity of price movements and evaluating the directional trend for flat rolled steel pricing. The week-over-week change in MoMo was +0.38 percent, following a +0.50 percent change the week before. Looking at this change on a 3-week moving average, we see the trend for HRC prices is now positive for the third consecutive week. The 3-week average change in MoMo is +0.71 percent, following an average change of +0.26 last week.
The interactive graph below demonstrates the relationship between the SMU hot rolled coil price and the three week moving average change in MoMo. Published in our Tuesday evening issue, the SMU HRC price range for this week is $610-$650 per ton with an average price of $635, unchanged from one week a
SMU Note: You can view the interactive graphic on our Price MoMo Index below when you are logged into the website and reading the newsletter online. If you have not logged into the website in the past and need your username and password, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475. If you need help navigating the website we would also be very happy to assist you.
{amchart id=”138″ SMU HR Price MoMo Index and 3 Week Average Change – Prices Pricing Hot Rolled}

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest 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.