SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Still Trending Upward

Mills have hiked prices on flat rolled and plate steels in the past 10 days and it appears they will collect at least a portion of the increases. Steel Market Update’s check of the market this week shows prices up as much as $30 per ton, depending on the product, on top of a $10 to $20 increase last week. Two out of three service centers responding to SMU’s poll said they are actively raising prices to their customers. Roughly half describe domestic mill lead times as “normal,” while nearly all the others consider them slightly or even highly extended, which indicates improving steel demand from the lows of the pandemic. SMU’s Price Momentum is Higher on sheet products, but remains Neutral on Plate.

Here is how we see prices this week:

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.