SMU Data and Models

Steel Mill Lead Times Beginning to Move but Still Below Year Ago Levels
Written by John Packard
December 17, 2015
Flat rolled steel lead times, according to those responding to this week’s market analysis questionnaire, have begun to move. The question now becomes will they continue to move and will they move out far enough to force buyers back into the market?
Our respondents reported hot rolled lead times as having extended slightly from the 3.05 weeks reported at the beginning of December to 3.32 weeks this week. Over the past 3 months lead times have been averaging less than 3.0 weeks. One year ago HRC lead times were reported to be averaging 3.53 weeks.
Cold rolled lead times also move out slightly and are now reported to be averaging 5.0 weeks. One year ago CRC was averaging 5.5 weeks.
Galvanized lead times also moved out a tick to 5.52 weeks from the 5.20 weeks reported two weeks ago. Last year at this time GI lead times averaged 5.78 weeks.
Galvalume lead times are now being reported as averaging 6.38 weeks slightly longer than the 6.13 weeks reported two weeks ago and above the 5.55 weeks reported at this point in time last year.
To see an interactive history of our Steel Mill Lead Time data, visit our website here.

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Scrap Survey: Current and Future Sentiment tick down
SMU’s Current Sentiment Index for scrap decreased this month, a move mirrored by our Future Sentiment Index, according to the latest data from our ferrous scrap survey.

SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment slips again, future outlook improves
Each of our Sentiment Indices continues to reflect that steel buyers are positive about their present and future business prospects, though that confidence has eased considerably compared to the beginning of the year.

SMU scrap market survey results now available
SMU’s October ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

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 and plate lead times stabilize
Sheet and plate lead times saw minor shifts this week, according to SMU’s latest market survey. Sheet times have inched up over the last month but remain within days of multi-year lows, as they have since May. Plate lead times have bobbed within a tight range for months, hovering roughly a week longer than this time last year.