Market Data
Steel Mill Negotiations: All the Chips are on the Mill Side
Written by John Packard
April 7, 2016
Buyers and sellers of flat rolled steel reported to Steel Market Update this past week that the domestic steel mills are less willing to negotiate steel prices. We believe this is due to strengthening order books, extending lead times, positive Sentiment and improving demand.
In fact, we were learning throughout the day today that many mills are either not in the spot market at all, or their order books are currently closed pending settlement of scrap pricing and having a couple of the larger mills (such as SDI) open their books.
We have had two price increase announcements so far this week: NLMK USA at +$40 per ton ($2.00/cwt) and SSAB at +$60 per ton ($3.00/cwt).
You can clearly see the trend for negotiations between the domestic steel mills and their customers based on the results of this weeks flat rolled steel market trends analysis.
A side note: The data for both lead times and negotiations comes from only service center and manufacturer respondents. We do not include commentary from the steel mills, trading companies or toll processors in this particular group of questions.
To see an interactive history of our Steel Mill Negotiations data, visit our website here.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Market Data
Chicago Business Barometer improves but still contracts in October
The Chicago Business Barometer’s October reading still indicates a cooling in general business activity despite posting a surprise gain.
Drilling activity slows at October’s end in US and Canada
The latest Baker Hughes rig count report showed oil and gas drilling slowing in both the US and Canada last week.
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 Steel Demand Index improves but remains in contraction
SMU’s Steel Demand Index remains in contraction, according to late October indicators. Though growth faded at a slower pace, it rebounded from one of the lowest readings year-to-date from earlier in the month.
SMU Mill Order Index fell in September
SMU’s Mill Order Index declined in September after repeated gains from June through August. The shift came as service center shipping rates and inventories fell.