Product
June 24, 2021
Written by Michael Cowden
Let’s talk about flat rolled and plate steel mill lead times. Because the results from our latest steel market survey caught my attention.
This is the first time in since January-February that you can maybe discern a potential peak in pricing – at least judging by that metric.
Domestic raw steel output fell to a six-month low last week after hitting a multi-year high one week earlier, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.
Nucor said on Monday, Sept. 21, that its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil will be $1,210 per short ton (st) this week, a $10/st increase from a week earlier.
The domestic plate market is showing few signs of relief for steel buyers. Lead times are stretching well beyond seasonal norms, spot availability has all but evaporated, and mills are drawing hard lines on contract volumes heading into 2027 negotiations.
SSAB Americas announced immediate changes to pricing extras on select products, according to a letter sent to customers Friday morning.
Drilling activity increased in the US this week but declined in Canada, according to active oil and gas rig count figures recently released from Baker Hughes. The US rig count rose by four to 595 rigs this week, now at the highest level recorded in over two years. Canadian counts eased to a 10-week low of 197 this week, down 10 rigs from the prior week.