SMU Data and Models
Steel Mill Negotiations: Buyers Still at the Mercy of the Mills
Written by Tim Triplett
February 18, 2021
Steel Market Update data shows no significant change in the negotiating position of steel buyers, who remain largely at the mercy of the mills. More than nine out of 10 buyers responding to SMU’s questionnaire this week reported the mills unwilling to discuss price concessions—which has been the mills’ attitude for the past five months.
Steelmakers continue to enjoy the dominant negotiating position because of market conditions characterized by strong demand and limited supplies. In competition for needed materials, buyers have bid up steel prices to record heights. SMU’s latest check of the market puts the average hot-rolled coil price at $1,200 per ton ($60/cwt).
Steel prices are likely to remain elevated, and the mills in the driver’s seat, until more capacity comes online and more imports come ashore later this year, say the experts. SMU will be watching the data closely for signs that price talks are beginning to loosen up between spot buyers and their mill suppliers. But it hasn’t happened yet.
Note: These negotiations are based on the average from manufacturers and steel service centers who participated in this week’s SMU market trends analysis. To see an interactive history of our Negotiations data, visit our website here.
By Tim Triplett, Tim@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in SMU Data and Models
SMU Scrap Survey: Current and Future Sentiment tick down
SMU’s Current Sentiment Index for scrap decreased this month, a move mirrored by our Future Sentiment Index, according to the latest data from our ferrous scrap survey.
SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment slips again, future outlook improves
Each of our Sentiment Indices continues to reflect that steel buyers are positive about their present and future business prospects, though that confidence has eased considerably compared to the beginning of the year.
SMU scrap market survey results now available
SMU’s October ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
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.
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times stabilize
Sheet and plate lead times saw minor shifts this week, according to SMU’s latest market survey. Sheet times have inched up over the last month but remain within days of multi-year lows, as they have since May. Plate lead times have bobbed within a tight range for months, hovering roughly a week longer than this time last year.