Tag: demand

SMU’s Steel Demand Index saw a negligible decline in growth, slightly behind early August, but remaining in elevated territory, according to mid-to-late August indicators.

The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.

CRU: Global finished steel prices have diverged in August, with longs softening while sheet and plate firmed in most regions. Weak construction demand persisted across most longs markets, with the US the notable exception. Higher sheet prices were driven by tightening supply in the US and reduced import attractiveness in Europe, even as APAC sheet prices declined. Plate prices were mostly firmer across APAC, stable to down in Europe, and continued climbing in the US.

Foreign steel remains sharply competitive, inventory levels are mostly steady, and demand is strengthening, according to SMU's Aug. 7 market survey. But buyers are more selective than earlier in the year, even as pricing momentum continues to push spot levels higher.

The domestic plate market is increasingly constrained as lead times spill well into Q4 and mills talk allocation. Speaking with buyers across the US, from the Midwest and East Coast to the South and West, there’s a shared theme: What spot tons?!

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. We are sharing a selection of the comments we received below, in each buyer’s own words.

Recent conversations with some hot-rolled coil spot market participants revealed spiking stress levels amidst a tightening supply of the steel sheet product.

The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.

In recent conversations, some participants predict mill maintenance outages and scheduled updates will crimp an already constricted market.

This item was first published by CRU. To learn about CRU’s global commodities research and analysis services, visit www.crugroup.com. Chinese steel export prices remained rangebound on persistently weak demand. Indian hot-rolled (HR) coil export prices fell amid elevated freight rates and European caution, while Turkish HR coil export prices came under pressure from EU quota exhaustion.  […]

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.

Hot-rolled coil market participants continue to see spot prices rise alongside the popularity of the beloved, short-spined Seattle raccoon this summer. 

Speaking on the company’s second-quarter earnings call, executives described a sheet market defined by broad-based demand, disciplined pricing behavior, and a structural shift in customer buying patterns.

Sources across the hot-rolled coil spot market said it was somewhat easier to find spot HR, at moderately shorter lead times, and at stable prices in recent days. 

SMU’s Steel Demand Index saw a slight decline in growth, slightly behind early July, but remaining in elevated territory, according to mid-to-late July indicators.

The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.

Spot market absorbs price hikes amidst booming plate demand 

The galvanized steel market isn't surging anymore; it's grinding.

Apparent steel supply jumped 8% from April to May to a near four-year high, according to recent Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.

Barry Zekelman showed up to last Wednesday’s SMU Community Chat as his usual self: energized, blunt, and unapologetically bullish on the US steel industry.

Some domestic plate market sources expect spot price rises through the end of the year due to prolonged supply constraints.

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.

Some domestic hot-rolled coil market participants say they expect prices for hot-rolled coils to remain stable through the end of 2026.  The market participants predicted that mills would hold spot prices and incrementally tighten lead times. Continuing, that they’ll find imported product arrivals, experience seasonal demand dips and all conditions will culminate in stable prices throughout the summer.   Asked […]

On the heels of SSAB’s price hike, further domestic mill increases to spot market plate seem inevitable to some participants but unlikely to others. 

The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.

SMU’s June ferrous scrap 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 “ferrous scrap survey” results. Past scrap survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey […]

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.

Hot-rolled coil spot market participants told SMU they see no evidence of the market softening in the near term.  

Limited spot product and extended lead times continue to characterize the domestic plate market, prolonging upward price pressure.

Some hot-rolled coil buyers expect continued incremental price increases from domestic mills. Others expect steeper increases, even if it risks inviting imports.