Analysis
February 24, 2026
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet sees modest increase, plate jumps
Written by Brett Linton
The majority of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices rose this week, with multiple products climbing to highs not seen in months or years. Sheet prices continue to grind higher on tight supply and ‘OK’ demand. Plate finally saw some movement after weeks of stability as price increases begin to stick.
Sheet prices have trended higher since September, increasing by $25-30 per short ton (st) in the past month. Prior to this week, plate had been relatively steady since early January.
Our hot-rolled coil index edged up $5/st this week to $980/st, the highest it has been since February 2024. Cold rolled also increased $5/st week over week (w/w) to a 10-month high of $1,135/st.
Coated prices are at high levels not seen since April 2025. Galvanized rose $5/st this week to $1,100/st, while Galvalume held steady at $1,125/st.
Plate saw a $25/st jump this week, now up to a seven-month high of $1,080.
SMU’s price momentum indicator continues to point to higher for both sheet and plate products, signaling that we expect prices to increase further in the short term.
Refer to Table 1 (click to enlarge) for our latest price indices and trends.
Hot-rolled coil: $960–1,000/st, averaging $980/st
The lower end of our range is unchanged w/w, while the top end is up $10/st. Our overall average is up $5/st w/w.
Hot-rolled lead times range from 4–8 weeks, averaging 5.9 weeks as of our Feb. 18 market survey.
Cold-rolled coil: $1,110–1,160/st, averaging $1,135/st
The lower end of our range is up $10/st w/w, while the top end is unchanged. Our overall average is up $5/st w/w.
Cold-rolled lead times range from 6–10 weeks, averaging 7.6 weeks through our latest survey.
Galvanized coil: $1,060–1,140/st, averaging $1,100/st
The lower end of our range is up $10/st w/w, while the top end is unchanged. Our overall average is up $5/st w/w.
Galvanized .060×48” G90 benchmark: SMU price range is $1,150–1,230/st, averaging $1,190/st FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvanized lead times range from 6–10 weeks, averaging 7.3 weeks through our latest survey.
Galvalume coil: $1,090–1,160/st, averaging $1,125/st
Our range is unchanged w/w.
Galvalume .0142×42” AZ50, grade 80 benchmark: SMU price range is $1,519–1,589/st, averaging $1,554/st FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvalume lead times range from 6–10 weeks, averaging 7.9 weeks through our latest survey.
Plate: $1,060–1,100/st, averaging $1,080/st
The lower end of our range is up $30/st w/w, while the top end is up $20/st. Our overall average is up $25/st w/w.
Plate lead times range from 6–8 weeks, averaging 6.5 weeks through our latest survey.
