Tag: Lead Times

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.

Once wintery weather gives way to sunnier spring conditions, plate sources foresee the market accepting the $50-60 per short ton spot price increases issued by Nucor Plate Group, Oregon Steel Mills, and SSAB. 

Nucor increased its list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $980 per short ton (st) on Monday, up $5/st from last week.

A narrow range has emerged, suggesting the market’s repricing of downside risk is starting to stick.

I’m going to play devil’s advocate for a narrative that has become the consensus for much of the US steel market. You know how it goes. Domestic steel prices will continue to go up despite uneven demand thanks to low supplies stemming in large part from tariffs and limited import competition. That's been the case for months now. Will it continue to be?

Plate market participants expect domestic producers to issue a $40-60 per short ton (st) price increase.

SMU’s latest steel buyers 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 “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]

Steel mill lead times marginally declined on sheet products this week but edged higher on plate, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey. Overall, lead times remain one to two weeks longer than levels seen three months ago.

Metalforming manufacturers anticipate strong near-term economic conditions that will give way to increasing orders, according to the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report for January 2026. 

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

Steel mill lead times held steady on most products this week following the surge seen in early January, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey

SMU's steel market chatter this week.

The galvanized steel market has kicked off the year with a firmer tone, marked by rising prices, lengthening lead times, and a noticeable shift in buyer sentiment. Service centers and distributors on HARDI’s latest sheet metal and coil handling council call described a market that is not overheating but steadily tightening.

The US steel market has gotten off to a fast start. Prices are up as lead times extend. And the news is coming in hot too.

Steel mill lead times increased for both sheet and plate products this week, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

Nucor raised its weekly hot-rolled coil spot list price by $10 per short ton (st) this week, marking the company's ninth consecutive increase.

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

Steel mill lead times held relatively steady this week on both sheet and plate products, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

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

You might be looking forward to some Black Friday deals. But I wouldn't expect many, at least when it comes to flat-rolled steel.

Steel mill lead times extended this week on all sheet and plate products tracked, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

SMU’s latest steel buyers 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 “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]

Steel mill lead times extended marginally this week on most sheet products but declined for plate, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

AMU's latest survey of aluminum market participants shows widening gaps in lead times, with extrusions lengthening dramatically.

The market has entered into a bit of a quiet recalibration, the kind of pause that feels like a held breath. Prices have stopped falling. Lead times have stretched just enough to create firmer footing. The urgency of downside risk has faded, but maybe (not quite yet) moved on.

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

Steel mill lead times marginally extended for both sheet and plate products this week, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

SMU’s hot-rolled coil price increased for a third consecutive week. And the gains were more pronounced this time following a price hike initiated on Friday by NLMK USA.

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

Steel mill lead times ticked lower across most sheet and plate products this week, according to responses from SMU’s latest market check.