Analysis
September 18, 2025
Written by David Schollaert
We’ve been talking about a potential inflection point for the past couple of weeks. And the market does appear to be nearing one. While prices are still slipping – average HR prices are below the $800-per-short-ton mark – larger discounts might be done, or nearly there.
And it’s not just prices. Lead times are showing some early signs of a turn, and mills are not as eager to talk price.
Worthington Enterprises reported higher fiscal first-quarter sales and earnings while citing rapidly growing data center demand and continued tightness in the steel market.
Sheet and plate prices continued to tick mostly higher this week amid a supply squeeze that shows no signs of loosening its grip on the US market.
This October, SMU is introducing a new way to keep you informed on the latest steel market news and insights: the Daily Digest. Beginning in mid-October, our new Daily Digest will replace the three newsletters currently delivered each week.
The scrap market for October is looking for direction as some participants on both sides of the furnace are indicating scrap prices are poised for an increase.
SMU’s latest Flat-Rolled Steel Buyers Survey shows that in a tight US market marked by long lead times, low inventories, and rising prices, foreign products continue to gain the interest of domestic buyers.