SMU Data and Models

Domestic Steel Mills Willing to Negotiate Flat Rolled Spot Pricing

Written by John Packard


Steel Market Update (SMU) has been conducting one of our flat rolled steel market trends surveys this week. According to those responding to our questionnaire, steel mill resistance to holding firm on flat rolled steel spot prices is in free fall.

A very large portion of our respondents reported mills as willing to negotiate on hot rolled (79 percent), cold rolled (75 percent), galvanized (70 percent) and Galvalume (78 percent).

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.

Latest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Survey: Sentiment splits, buyers have better view of future than the present

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices moved in opposite directions this week. After rebounding from a near five-year low in late June, Current Sentiment slipped again. At the same time, Future Sentiment climbed to a four-month high. Both indices continue to show optimism among buyers about their company’s chances for success, but suggest there is less confidence in that optimism than earlier in the year.