SMU Data and Models
Steel Mill Negotiations: More of the Same
Written by Tim Triplett
April 1, 2021
No change to report in the latest Steel Market Update negotiations data. The dynamic between buyers and sellers remains virtually the same. “The mills don’t negotiate at all, and I don’t blame them one bit. Why should they negotiate when there isn’t enough tonnage to go around?” commented one respondent to SMU’s questionnaire this week.
The percentage of buyers who reported some mills willing to negotiate is in the single digits (see the charts below), where it has been since November for most flat rolled products. Price talks for plate are nearly as one-sided in the current environment, with steel prices at historic highs.
Steel Market Update’s check of the market this week puts the current benchmark price for hot rolled steel at a new record of $1,330 per ton ($66.50/cwt). Most buyers polled by SMU this week speculate that prices will continue to rise to $1,350-1,400 or more before peaking and beginning to correct perhaps sometime in April or May. Until then, the mills are expected to enjoy the dominant bargaining position.
Note: These negotiations data 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’s June at a glance
A look at SMU data for the month of June.
SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment rebounds from multi-year low
Both of SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices edged higher this week. Current Sentiment rebounded from a near five-year low, while Future Sentiment rose to a two-month high
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 lead times pull back after early-June blip, plate holds
Following the uptick seen two weeks ago, lead times eased this week for all four sheet products tracked by SMU, while plate lead times held steady, according to this week’s market survey.
SMU Survey: Pricing power abruptly shifts to steel buyers
The majority of steel buyers responding to our latest market survey say domestic mills are more willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were earlier this month. Sheet negotiation rates rebounded across the board compared to early June, while our plate negotiation rate hit a full 100%.