• Skip to main content

    Analysis

    April 18, 2023

    Final Thoughts

    Written by David Schollaert

    Has the domestic hot band pricing rally run its course? Data and market sentiment seem to suggest as much, and prices could indeed be heading down. Hot-rolled coil just slipped for the first time since late November, according to SMU’s latest check of the market.

    I’m certainly not willing to speculate what will happen next, but several indicators have turned and are pointing lower. Lead times have contracted a bit, and we’ve seen a recent shift in mills’ willingness to negotiate lower prices as inventories have moved up.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

    Read more from David Schollaert

    Latest in Analysis