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    Market Data

    February 5, 2026

    SMU Survey: Modest drop in sheet lead times as plate ticks higher

    Written by Brett Linton

    Steel mill lead times marginally declined on sheet products this week but edged higher on plate, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey. Overall, lead times remain one to two weeks longer than levels seen three months ago.

    Prior to this survey, sheet lead times had generally increased since November and somewhat stabilized in mid-January. This week marks the first noticeable decrease seen in that time. With the winter weather impact not yet fully known, we will keep our eyes on the market to see if this is a trend reversal or just noise.

    Brett Linton

    Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

    Read more from Brett Linton

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