SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate markets tick higher
Prices for both sheet and plate products climbed higher this week, with some rising to multi-year highs, according to SMU's latest market canvass.
Category: Market Data
Heating and cooling equipment shipments fall back in January
Heating and cooling equipment shipments declined in January to the second-lowest rate recorded over the past nine years.
Steel exports recover in January, still historically weak
US steel exports jumped 33% in January but remain historically low, according to recently released US Department of Commerce data.
AISI: Domestic mill production eases for third week
Raw steel production declined last week for the third-consecutive week but remains historically strong, per AISI.
Canadian government limits executive compensation packages at Algoma
The Canadian government has placed limits on salaries, bonuses, and other forms of compensation for top executives at Algoma Steel, according to a local media report.
Steel imports remain low in January and February
Steel imports remained close to multi-year lows in January and February, according to US Commerce Department data released this week.
Sheet market weighing cost of postponing orders amid spot price hikes
This week sources said spot prices on hot-rolled coils increased modestly.
Drilling activity increases in US, falls in Canada
The latest tally of active oil and gas rigs increased in the US this week but declined in Canada, according to figures recently released from Baker Hughes.
HR Futures: Stability shifts to repricing
A month ago, the steel market was defined by stability. Prices had firmed and held, and the HRC futures curve appeared to be absorbing strength and follow-through rather than rejecting it. Since then, that stability has evolved into something more meaningful, repricing.
Steel market chatter this week
Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events.
Nucor Plate Group aims to raise prices
Nucor Plate Group notified customers it is increasing prices on all rolled products by $40 per short ton (st) and $60/st on all heat treat products.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate flat or up as tight market keeps pricing power with mills
SMU's sheet and plate prices were flat or higher this week in a US market that remains characterized by extended lead times and limited spot availability.
CRU: Middle East Conflict - The impact on metallurgical coal and iron ore
This CRU insight demonstrates how the conflict in Middle East supports metallurgical coal prices and iron ore will be impacted by a potential decline in demand from China and rising costs, while the pellet market will be severely disrupted.
US scrap export market roiled by Middle East unrest
The state of the US export market for recycled ferrous scrap is in extreme flux due to events of the last 10 days.
AISI: Raw steel production slips, but still near multi-year high
Raw production has trended upwards since the start of the year, reaching a four-year high in February.
Dodge Momentum Index pulls back as planning normalizes
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) pulled back in February, as planning momentum normalized after a strong second half of 2025.
Nucor ups HRC spot price by $5/st
Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $1,010 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week.
Sheet sources laud stable demand and solid prices
Participants in the US hot- and cold-rolled sheet market cautiously called the week a win as prices inched north and demand picked up.
SMU Survey: Buyers' Sentiment Indices inch higher as market remains optimistic
Steel buyers remain optimistic for their current and future business prospects, though not as strong as they did one year ago.
SMU scrap market survey results now available
SMU’s March ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
CRU: Middle East conflict poses energy cost risk to ferrous value chain
The main impact on the ferrous value chain from the Middle East conflict will be the higher energy costs in a prolonged scenario.
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times hold at high levels
Following extensions in February, steel mill lead times held steady or extended further for both sheet and plate products this week, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.
Spread tightens between US HR prices and imports
The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product tightened this week, as stateside tags continue to rise.
SMU Survey: Buyers continue to report mills holding firm on price
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week said domestic mills remain unwilling to negotiate lower prices for new spot orders.
Beige Book: Majority of districts see modest economic growth
Economic activity across the US increased at a light-to-modest pace in seven of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts, according to the US Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report.
AISI: Domestic steel shipments rise in January
US steel shipments increased sequentially and on-year in January, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
AMSCI flags maritime trade implications as Middle East conflict unfolds
The American Metals Supply Chain Institute (AMSCI) said increasing insurance premiums, potential vessel diversions, and contractual risk evaluations began in the global freight market as geopolitical conflict escalates in the Persian Gulf region.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate climb higher
SMU's sheet and plate prices increased this week to new multi-month highs.
SMA, AISI talk significance of US passing Japan in steel output
The US surpassed Japan in annual steel production in 2025 for the first time in 26 years, according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel).