SMU Data and Models
Lead Times Continue to Slowly Extend
Written by John Packard
June 18, 2015
Lead times moved out slightly on three of the four flat rolled products: hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized. The only product which essentially remained the same was Galvalume.
Hot rolled lead times averaged 4 weeks, according to the results of this week’s flat rolled steel market analysis (survey). This is up from 3.66 weeks and we have seen lead times move out approximately one week since the middle of April.
Cold rolled lead times moved up ever so slightly to 5.78 weeks and CR lead times have extended approximately ¾ of a week since mid-April.
Galvanized lead times also extended by approximately ¼ of a week as our average moved from 6.0 weeks to 6.29 weeks. This is 1 week longer than mid-April.
Galvalume remained at approximately 6.5 weeks which is also about one week longer than what we saw in the middle of April.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models
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: Current Sentiment sinks to lowest level since May 2020
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices both fell this week, with Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment notching the lowest reading since May 2020.
Busheling and shredded tags drop, widening HRC vs. prime scrap spread
US scrap prices fell on busheling and shredded in October, while HMS remained flat, market sources told SMU.
SMU Survey: Lead times remain short
Steel mill lead times ticked lower across most sheet and plate products this week, according to responses from SMU’s latest market check.
SMU Survey: Mills more negotiable on spot orders
Mills are more willing to negotiate spot prices for both sheet and plate products, according to our latest market survey results.