Analysis
March 24, 2026
SMU Price Ranges: Modest increases in sheet, plate stable
Written by Brett Linton
All four of SMU’s sheet price indices inched $5-10 per short ton (st) higher this week, while plate prices held steady. Most prices remain at some of the highest levels seen in over a year.
Buyers continue to report supply is limited on both sheet and plate products. These material concerns, plus low inventories, are pushing some to rebuild stocks as a precaution, rather than in response to strengthening demand. Logistics, war, and inflation are also driving market uncertainty. Our sources generally expect prices to rise over the next month or so, but their outlooks beyond that are hazy.
Our hot-rolled and cold-rolled indices increased to $1,020/st and $1,175/st, respectively, high levels last seen over two years ago.
Galvanized prices have now surpassed the 2025 peaks set last March, rising to $1,150/st, territory last seen in February 2024. Meanwhile, Galvalume prices increased to a one-year high of $1,160/st.
Plate was the outlier this week, holding at a 10-month high of $1,150/st.
SMU’s price momentum indicator remains at higher for both sheet and plate products, signaling 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: $1,000–1,040/st, averaging $1,020/st
The lower end of our range is unchanged week over week (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 6.4 weeks as of our March 18 market survey.
Cold-rolled coil: $1,150–1,200/st, averaging $1,175/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 8.2 weeks through our latest survey.
Galvanized coil: $1,120–1,180/st, averaging $1,150/st
The lower end of our range is up $20/st w/w, while the top end is unchanged. Our overall average is up $10/st w/w.
Galvanized .060×48” G90 benchmark: SMU price range is $1,210–1,270/st, averaging $1,240/st FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvanized lead times range from 6–10 weeks, averaging 8.0 weeks through our latest survey.
Galvalume coil: $1,120–1,200/st, averaging $1,160/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.
Galvalume .0142×42” AZ50, grade 80 benchmark: SMU price range is $1,549–1,629/st, averaging $1,589/st FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvalume lead times range from 6–10 weeks, averaging 8.4 weeks through our latest survey.
Plate: $1,100–1,200/st, averaging $1,150/st
Our range was unchanged w/w.
Plate lead times range from 6–9 weeks, averaging 7.0 weeks through our latest survey.
