Tag: 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.

Both Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices continue to indicate that steel buyers are confident in their companies’ prospects today, as well as in the months ahead.

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

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

Participants in the domestic plate market anticipate incoming price notifications before the end of the month, SMU learned in recent conversations. 

Galvanized sheet buyers and distributors report that strong demand and constrained supply persist, exerting upward pressure on prices.

CRU: Tight market balance will drive up US steel plate prices, while weak demand and lower CBAM costs will pull European prices down. Weather risks will shape Asian markets, from Chinese rain disruptions to uneven Indian monsoons.

Hot-rolled coil market participants report little disruption to their contact volumes, finding timely spot HR proved less straightforward, some sources told SMU. 

Some domestic plate market participants recently voiced concerns that current market conditions will impact fabrication and manufacturing, which rely on steady product supply.   

Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market conditions.

SMU’s Steel Demand Index ticked back up from late May, remaining in elevated territory, according to mid-June indicators.

May was the fifth consecutive month of expansion for the US manufacturing sector, according to the most recent Institute for Supply Management (ISM) report.

SMU’s Mill Order Index recovered in May, reclaiming some momentum lost the month prior.

Spot market participants recently told SMU they foresee additional plate price rises for domestically made products.

Sheet prices in the USA continued to move higher over the past month as supply remained tight in the country

SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

The World Cup only comes around every four years. So let's take a walk down memory lane to see where the steel market stood four years ago.

Some domestic spot market buyers say they're seeking imported hot-rolled (HR) coils.

Has anyone seen a creature called the “spot ton” in the wild? I ask because they used to be a common sight. And now I hear they’re endangered.