SMU Data and Models

SMU Seeks Data Providers for Service Center Inventories Report
Written by Tim Triplett
September 17, 2019
Steel Market Update’s analysis of flat rolled and plate inventories and shipments shows flat rolled inventories of 55.8 days of supply, and plate inventories of 52.1 days, as of the end of August. Service center flat rolled inventories remained elevated, while plate saw a reduction in supply last month to the lowest level seen all year.
Steel Market Update surveys key data providers each month to gather the latest information on steel sheet and plate inventories. The results are summarized in the SMU Service Center Inventories Report, which is distributed to Premium subscribers around the 10th business day of each month. Data providers also receive a Flash Report with preliminary data about a week prior to other subscribers.
SMU’s Service Center Inventories Report includes:
• Total inventory levels from the data providers
• Total monthly shipments by the data providers
• Shipping days of supply
• Months of supply on hand
• SMU Inventories Report Analysis, which includes expert commentary on the month-to-month changes in flat rolled and plate inventories, with forecasts based on industry pricing trends and other market factors.
Data providers receive additional information on the average daily shipping rate, tons on order, shipping days of supply on order, percentage of inventory on order, as well as the percentage of inventory committed to contracts vs. available to the spot market.
Premium members have access to our new Service Center Inventories webpage with an expanded history of the below tables.
For more information on how to become a data provider or to renew a Premium subscription and qualify to continue receiving the inventories report each month, contact Paige Mayhair at 724-720-1012 or email Paige@SteelMarketUpdate.com.

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Survey: Current Sentiment tumbles on tariffs, uncertainty, soft demand
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices moved in opposing directions this week. Our Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index dropped to one of the lowest levels recorded in over five years, while Future Buyers’ Sentiment inched higher.

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. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]

SMU Survey: Buyers report little change in sheet and plate lead times
Steel buyers report steady lead times for sheet and plate products, a soft-sideways trend we've seen since May.

SMU Survey: Mills remain flexible on pricing, buyers say
The majority of steel buyers responding to our market survey this week continue to say that mills are negotiable on new spot order prices. Negotiation rates have remained high since May.

Service centers: Mill orders improve in July
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) moved higher in July after rebounding the month prior. The shift comes after mill orders declined from March through May.