Tag: Galvanized

Monthly steel imports rose back above 2 million short tons (st) in May and June, further recovering from the historic lows seen late last year, according to recent Commerce data.

Hot-rolled and cold-rolled prices held steady again this week while prices for coated products and plate continued to tick upward.

Steel mill lead times for flat-rolled steel this week remained extended at historical highs. Plate production times crept out further, while hot-rolled and cold-rolled (HR/CR) coil saw minor contractions.

The majority of steel buyers we polled this week reported that mills are holding firm on new order spot prices.

AZZ President and CEO Tom Ferguson said the Texas-based coil coating and galvanizing company is off to a great start in its 2027 fiscal year.

Market reaction to Nucor’s move was mixed. Some sources said a flat CSP reflected concerns that further increases in US HR prices could attract more import competition. Others expressed frustration. Their view: CSP has kept a lid on prices, something that shouldn’t happen when many buyers remain more concerned about availability than price.

The investigation follows requests from US producers Nucor and Steel Dynamics.

Hot-rolled (HR) coil and plate prices continued to tick higher even as cold-rolled (CR) and coated prices came in unchanged, according to SMU’s latest check of the market.

What comes next? Do prices plateau and then dip in late Q3/Q4 – which is what we saw in 2021? Or do they continue to rise into 2027?

Steel mill lead times remained extended this week on both sheet and plate products. Current production times three to four weeks longer than levels seen last summer.

Steel buyers negotiation rates remain at or near historic lows across most sheet and plate products.

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

US sheet prices continue to move higher on extremely limited spot availability, solid demand, and extended lead times.

SMU’s sheet price indices increased further this week, while plate held steady, all at multi-year highs.

A major trade case finalized late last year, along with higher Section 232 tariffs, account for the reduced imports.

Steel mill lead times extended this week on both sheet and plate products, now at multi-year highs.

This week we saw continued low negotiation rates across all products, with cold rolled and plate the least negotiable and galvanized the most.

All five of SMU’s price indices increased this week to new multi-year highs. Prices have increased by 20-25% since the beginning of the year.

We are happy to share that the SMU Price Estimator Tool is now a little easier to navigate.

After falling to a multi-year low in March, the premium galvanized coil commands over hot-rolled (HR) coil has widened in recent months.

SMU’s sheet price indices continued to climb this week, while plate held steady, all at multi-year highs.

U.S. Steel (USS) has revised their galvanized and Galvalume coating extras higher effective Aug. 2, 2026.

Steel mill lead times remain at or near multi-year highs for all sheet and plate products.

This week we saw low negotiation rates across all products, with coated and plate products slightly more negotiable than hot rolled and cold rolled.

Volume, which is usually a big positive for buyers in price negotiations, has arguably become a net negative.

Sheet and plate price indices increased between $5-20 per short ton (st) from last week.

Galvanized steel buyers and distributors expect tightening supply and rising price pressure to last into summer.

Sheet prices continue to rise in a market that remains characterized by extremely limited spot availability, solid demand, long lead times, and the lowest sheet inventories since May 2021.

SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times remain extended, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.

Buyers continue to report mills are holding a firm grip on sheet and plate prices.