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 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: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices decline again
Following significant recoveries in late August, SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices tumbled this week.
SMU survey: Lead times shrink across the board
Steel mill lead times shortened for both sheet and plate products this week, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.
SMU price ranges: Sheet momentum indicator shifts to neutral in mixed market
SMU’s steel price indices showed mixed signals for a second consecutive week. Our hot rolled, cold rolled, and plate price indices inched lower from last week, as the galvanized index held steady and Galvalume's ticked higher.
Apparent steel supply picks up in July
Following June’s slump, the amount of finished steel entering the US market partially rebounded in July, according to SMU’s analysis of data from the US Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).