Tag: Plate

Factors like fluctuating demand, import availability, domestic product lead times, fuel surcharges, and end-user consumption left plate sources feeling unsettled.  

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices indicate that steel buyers remain highly optimistic about their businesses’ chances for current and future success.

Steel mill lead times remained elevated this week, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.

Nucor announced its fuel surcharge for plate will be at least $10 per short ton, effective with shipments beginning May 1.

Most sheet and plate buyers continue to report that mills are not negotiable on new order spot prices, according to our latest market survey conducted this week.

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined for a third straight month in March, with shipping days of supply slipping to 49.3 on an adjusted basis, according to SMU data.

US steel exports held steady from January to February and remain near historical lows.

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 imports remain near some of the lowest volumes recorded in over five years.

The world definitely seems like a more dangerous place these days. And, of course, when national security is invoked, the steel industry always plays a key role.

Plate market participants we spoke to this week offered a long list of concerns: escalating fuel and freight expenses, consolidated sources of end-market demand, tariff-related complications, as well as long lead times and delivery delays from US mills. The cherry on top? An ever shrinking availability of spot tons from domestic mills.

Algoma Steel aims to increase plate prices by US$60 per short ton (CA$80/st), effectively immediately, according to a letter to customers dated Thursday.

Sheet and plate prices continued to hold steady or tick upward once again this week. And the factors behind the gains are familiar ones: limited spot tonnage, stable demand, limited import competition, and outages (planned or otherwise) at domestic mills.

At least two major US plate producers - SSAB Americas and Nucor - plan to increase plate prices by at least $60 per short ton (st).

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.

Spot market participants worry that limited availability for certain grades of domestically produced plate will extend lead times even further.  

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.

Sheet and plate prices were flat or modestly higher this week, continuing a trend we’ve seen since the beginning of Q4. The big question: How much longer can the trend hold?

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.

Mexico’s Ministry of Economy issued a preliminary ruling in its anti-dumping case on hot-rolled steel from China and Vietnam. The government found evidence of price discrimination and imposed provisional duties on a wide range of hot-rolled flat products, including coils, sheet, strip, and plate.

Plate market sources say the week has been quiet, but that overall, business remains consistent.

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

Most steel buyers report that domestic mills are unwilling to negotiate price on new sheet and plate spot orders.

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined for a second consecutive month in February, with shipping days of supply slipping to 52.2 on an adjusted basis, according to SMU data.

Prices for both sheet and plate products climbed higher this week, with some rising to multi-year highs, according to SMU's latest market canvass.

Steel imports remained close to multi-year lows in January and February, according to US Commerce Department data released this week.

Domestic plate market participants expressed confidence in the overall improvement of market conditions this week.  

Algoma Steel said the Section 232 tariff shock continues to shape its business model. The 50% US duty effectively shut the company out of its largest export market, forcing a structural pivot toward Canada.

Nucor Plate Group notified customers it is increasing prices on all rolled products by $40 per short ton (st) and $60/st on all heat treat products.  

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.