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    Market Data

    November 27, 2023

    SMU survey: Mills less willing to talk price on sheet, plate

    Written by Ethan Bernard

    The percentage of steel buyers saying mills were willing to negotiate spot pricing has fallen for all products SMU surveys, according to our most recent survey data.

    The negotiation rate for steel plate notched a steep decline, our survey data through Nov. 22 shows. It tumbled 32 percentage points from two weeks earlier to 68% of surveyed buyers saying mills were open to discussing lower spot prices.

    Ethan Bernard

    Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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