Tag: Lead Times

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.

Steel mill lead times remained extended on both sheet and plate products this week, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey. Production times have been historically long for most of the summer, remaining at or near multi-year highs across all of the products we track.

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

Steel mill lead times held steady on sheet products this week and extended further on plate, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey. Production times remain at or near multi-year highs across all products, roughly three to four weeks longer than they were last summer.

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.

Steel mill lead times have trended upward since last November and now stand at or near multi-year highs for all products.

Spot market absorbs price hikes amidst booming plate demand 

Cold-rolled (CR) coil prices were unchanged in the US this week, while offshore prices varied, though mostly trended up.

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

If a trend of flat lead times holds, it would represent a change. And we’ve also seen a few of the other indicators we track slip from historic highs – so the potential shift is worth paying attention to.

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.

Nucor said on Monday, July 6, that its hot-rolled coil consumer spot price will remain unchanged at $1,130 per short ton for the week.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Nucor announced on Monday, June 22, that its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil will be $1,130 per short ton for the week, up $5/st from last week. 

The US HRC futures curve has continued to move higher, particularly in the deferred months, suggesting the market is pricing a slower return to balance.

SMU released May service center inventories on Monday. And if you’re a premium subscriber, I recommend reading the report (here) if you haven’t already.

Summer doldrums? Not this year! SMU’s latest steel market survey indicates that an increasing number of steel buyers think prices will continue to rise along with the mercury.

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

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

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.