Tag: cold rolled

Sheet prices continue to grind higher on tight supply and 'okay' demand. Plate finally saw some movement after weeks of stability as price increases begin to stick.

Participants in the domestic sheet market say they experienced lighter inquiries and fewer orders than in previous weeks, rendering domestic mill price increases for spot-market hot- and cold-rolled coils irrelevant.  

Hot rolled and galvanized lead times are about half a week longer than they were three months ago, while production times for cold rolled, Galvalume, and plate products are one to two weeks longer.

Ternium SA closed 2025 under pressure from lower steel prices and softer shipments. But the Latin American steelmaker expects both volumes and margins to improve early in 2026 as Mexico’s trade defenses tighten and US tariff uncertainty begins to settle.

Since late 2025, mills have begun to hold a firmer stance on prices, tightening their grip at the start of this year and holding on since

As referenced in Michael Cowden's last Final Thoughts, Mexico has opened a formal investigation into cold-rolled steel imports from the US, China, and Malaysia. Here are the details.

Three of SMU’s price indices increased this week, while two remained steady, all holding at multi-month highs.

SMU’s sheet price indices inched up to new multi-month highs this week, while plate prices held steady.

One third of the steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are negotiable on new spot order pricing. Mills began to hold a firmer stance on prices towards the end of last year, tightening their grip in early January and holding it since.

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.

Flat-rolled steel prices inched upward again this week as mixed demand appeared to be offset by limited supplies.

Participants in the hot- and cold-rolled coil markets said winter storms in the East and Midwest may disrupt weekly order volumes and prices.  

Sheet prices mostly continued their uneven but steady march higher this week, according to SMU’s latest check of the market.

SMU’s sheet price indices climbed to new multi-month highs this week, while plate prices marginally declined.

Greer Steel Co. has been purchased by Mutares SE & Co., an international private equity holding company based in Munich.

Mill spot price negotiation rates have tumbled across all products SMU tracks, according to our latest survey data.

Less than half of the steel buyers who responded to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are willing to talk price on new spot orders

All of SMU’s sheet price indices rose this week, climbing to new multi-month highs. At the same time, our plate index held steady.

Steel mill lead times extended this week on all sheet and plate products tracked, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

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.

Sheet steel indices increased across the board this week, while plate prices held steady. All five of SMU’s price indices are higher than they were two weeks ago, and all but one are above levels recorded four weeks ago.

Sheet and plate lead times saw minor shifts this week, according to SMU’s latest market survey. Sheet times have inched up over the last month but remain within days of multi-year lows, as they have since May. Plate lead times have bobbed within a tight range for months, hovering roughly a week longer than this time last year.

Steel buyers say mills remain slightly more willing to negotiate spot prices for sheet and plate products than in mid-September, according to our latest market survey.

Sheet times ticked higher but remain within days of multi-year lows, territory they have been in since May. Plate lead times have shifted lower in the past month but remain about a week longer than they were at this time last year.

Sheet and plate lead times held steady yet again this week, according to steel buyers responding to our latest market survey, a trend in place since May.

The majority of steel buyers responding to this week’s market survey continue to report that mills are open to negotiating spot prices on sheet and plate products.

Steel prices remained largely unchanged this week, staying at or near lows last seen in February. All five sheet and plate products tracked by SMU moved by no more than $5 per short ton (st) from the previous week.

Steel buyers report steady lead times for sheet and plate products, a soft-sideways trend we've seen since May.

All five of SMU's steel sheet and plate price indices declined this week, falling to lows last seen in February.

Mill production times for sheet products are holding just above multi-year lows, while plate lead times remain elevated.