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.
Category: SMU
Final Thoughts
You might be looking forward to some Black Friday deals. But I wouldn't expect many, at least when it comes to flat-rolled steel.
SMU Survey: Lead times extend across the board
Steel mill lead times extended this week on all sheet and plate products tracked, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.
SMU Price Ranges: Market gradually climbs higher
All five of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices increased this week for the second week in a row, with all products inching up to new multi-month highs. Prices are now up by $30-70/st compared to those seen four weeks ago.
SMU Survey: Mills firmer on sheet prices, more negotiable on plate
Mills are less willing to talk price on spot orders on all the sheet products SMU tracks, but plate has veered the other way, according to our market survey this week.
Brazilian pig iron market fields US, European offers
The situation has altered in the Brazilian pig iron market since our last update on Nov. 13. At the time, we reported things were at a standstill for sales to US-based steelmakers.
Steel imports slump in September and October
US steel imports declined considerably in September and October, with trade falling to reduced levels not seen in nearly five years.
US offers EU steel tariff deal in exchange for looser tech regulations
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche expressed frustration with US levies on steel and aluminum products. The US contends the EU is unfairly targeting its big tech firms.
SSAB to up plate prices by at least $40/ton
SSAB Americas aims to increase prices on all its products by at least $40 per short ton (st).
Toyota invests in US-based hybrid auto manufacturing
Toyota says its $912‑million investment in the US will boost production capacity for hybrids and introduce hybrid‑electric Corollas.
Final Thoughts
Recollections of better days in Ukraine.
Global steel production ticked higher in October
Following four consecutive monthly declines, world crude steel output recovered 1% from September to October to an estimated 143.3 million metric tons (mt), according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
HR Futures: Movement in the market
In the month since my last column, the tides have started to turn – and as usual it wasn’t the physical market that moved first.
Steelmaking raw material prices stabilize through November
Most steelmaking raw material prices remained stable over the past month. Prices are mixed in comparison to this time last year.
Plate sources say Q1 demand spike is imminent
Domestic plate market participants anticipate strong economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, which they say is the perfect reason for spot market price hikes now.
Steel market chatter this week
Steel market chatter from our most recent survey.
Barry Zekelman says it's a 'fantastic' time for steel in the US
SMU sits down with Barry Zekelman to talk North American trade and the state of the US and Canadian steel industries.
Price gap between US HRC, imports narrows
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product shrank week over week (w/w).
SMU Steel Demand Index falls back, remains in contraction
The SMU Steel Demand Index slackened from late October, remaining below expansion territory, according to SMU's mid-November indicators.
Scrap export market sees activity but no price boom
The bulk scrap export market has experienced a great deal of action lately, but that has not resulted in runaway pricing.
Final Thoughts
Sheet prices are in the middle of one of their most sustained rallies since the first quarter, and this time in the absence of any tariff or trade policy shocks.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate prices rise further
SMU’s price indices increased across the board this week, reaching new multi-month highs.
SMU Mill Order Index jumped in October
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) surged in October after a notable decline the month prior. The recovery came as service center on order inventory totals picked up, supported by a slight uptick in shipments, according to our latest service center inventories data.
US scrap market picks up steam
The US scrap market is showing some signs of strength in certain regions shortly after the November settlements finalized without detectable resistance.
October service center shipments and inventories report
US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply edged lower for the third straight month, reaching 53.3 shipping days of supply on an adjusted basis at the end of October, according to SMU data.
Final Thoughts
Rising prices and stable demand is not a bad way to slide into the ending of 2025.
Heating and cooling equipment shipments weakened through September
US shipments of heating and cooling equipment fell 7% in September from August to the lowest monthly rate of the year, according to the latest data released by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
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. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]
SMU Survey: Current Sentiment falls, Future Sentiment ticks up
SMU’s Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index slipped this week while Future Sentiment inched up, according to our most recent survey data.
Final Thoughts
Scrap keeps on trucking, shutdown or not.