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.
All five of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices ticked higher this week, rising further to new multi-year highs. Prices increased between $5-25 per short ton (st) from last week and are $30-65/st higher than they were one month ago.
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) has revised their metallic coating extras higher for galvanized, Galvalume, Galfan, and aluminized type 1 products.
Steel mill lead times continue to hold at or near multi-year highs for both sheet and plate products, territory they have been in two months.
Each of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices climbed higher this week, with all products rising further to new multi-year highs.
AZZ reported steady demand across its Metal Coatings network, as infrastructure, power, and data center projects continued to drive high galvanizing volumes.
AZZ Inc. closed fiscal 2026 with record sales and sharply higher profitability, driven by strong demand for hot-dip galvanizing and steady execution across its Metal Coatings network. Its Precoat Metals segment, however, continued to face weaker volumes in construction-related markets.
Each of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices climbed higher this week, with most products rising further to new multi-year highs
Participants in the galvanized steel market remain encouraged by strengthening product prices, even as increases unfold at a subdued pace.
Sheet and plate prices increased yet again this week on an increasingly tight spot market. It's gotten so tight that some market participants say they're becoming more concerned about availability than about price.
Steel mill production times for sheet and plate products remain at or near multi-year highs, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.
Most steel buyers report that mills are not willing to negotiate on new order spot prices, according to our latest market survey. Mill negotiability is now down to one of the lowest rates measured in over a year.
The Commerce Department has launched another duty circumvention inquiry targeting coated steel imports at the request of two US mills.
The US Department of Commerce has launched two trade investigations to determine if certain corrosion-resistant (CORE) steel imports are being transshipped through Indonesia to avoid paying anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVDs).
The galvanized sheet market continued to tighten in March as distributors and service centers reported firm demand, low inventory levels, and rising transportation costs. Participants on the monthly HARDI sheet metal and air-handling call on Wednesday described a market defined by constrained supply and steady upward pricing pressure.
The pace of sheet and plate price increases slowed this week, with most products holding at some of the highest levels seen in over a year.
Most steel buyers report that domestic mills are unwilling to negotiate price on new sheet and plate spot orders.
SMU's sheet and plate prices were flat or higher this week in a US market that remains characterized by extended lead times and limited spot availability.
Following extensions in February, steel mill lead times held steady or extended further for both sheet and plate products this week, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week said domestic mills remain unwilling to negotiate lower prices for new spot orders.
SMU's sheet and plate prices increased this week to new multi-month highs.
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.
The galvanized steel market is navigating price increases and longer lead times with a surer footing than in prior months.
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.
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
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.
November steel exports tumbled 15% from October to the lowest monthly export rate since July 2020.