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    SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Holiday Lull

    Written by Brett Linton


    Recently we were asked how we can produce our flat rolled and plate price indices when there are limited transactions either due to high prices or a holiday period like we are in now. In both scenarios there continue to be transactions (although few and far between), but we are careful not to overheat or overcool a market when limited transactions are occurring.

    In past years, SMU has tended not to change prices between the Christmas and New Year Holidays due to the limited responses we were able to gather from the market.

    Brett Linton

    Read more from Brett Linton

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