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    Market Data

    October 28, 2021

    Steel Mill Lead Times: Downtrend Continues

    Written by Tim Triplett

    Lead times for orders of flat rolled and plate steel from the mills have shortened again compared to this time last month. About 60% of the buyers responding to Steel Market Update’s survey this week describe lead times as just “slightly longer than normal.” Only 15% still consider them “highly extended.”

    SMU’s check of the market shows that the typical hot rolled lead time is down to nearly eight weeks, while cold rolled and coated products are now below 11 weeks. Plate lead times have shrunk to less than seven weeks. While still twice as long as the historical averages, lead times appear to be shortening very gradually but consistently, which may foretell declining steel prices in the weeks and months ahead.

    Tim Triplett

    Read more from Tim Triplett

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