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    Market Data

    February 2, 2017

    Steel Mill Lead Times Flat to Slightly Shorter

    Written by John Packard

    Flat rolled lead times at the domestic steel mills were essentially flat to slightly shorter based on the respondents to the Steel Market Update (SMU) flat rolled market trends survey completed earlier today. Steel buyers are quick to react to shorter lead times by requesting spot price reductions in their negotiations with the steel mill suppliers.

    Hot rolled lead times dropped from 4.73 weeks to 4.45 weeks. This is not a major move but it is the first time in many months where we have seen a drop of 0.25 weeks or greater. One year ago HRC lead times out of the domestic steel mills averaged 3.90 weeks.

    John Packard

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