SMU Price Ranges: Plate stable, sheet pushes higher
All of SMU’s sheet price indices rose this week, climbing to new multi-month highs. At the same time, our plate index held steady.
All of SMU’s sheet price indices rose this week, climbing to new multi-month highs. At the same time, our plate index held steady.
Oregon Steel Mills has joined other producers, announcing a price increase of at least $40 per short ton for steel plate.
Steel mill lead times extended this week on all sheet and plate products tracked, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.
All five of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices increased this week for the second week in a row, with all products inching up to new multi-month highs. Prices are now up by $30-70/st compared to those seen four weeks ago.
Mills are less willing to talk price on spot orders on all the sheet products SMU tracks, but plate has veered the other way, according to our market survey this week.
US steel imports declined considerably in September and October, with trade falling to reduced levels not seen in nearly five years.
Nucor plans to increase prices for steel plate by $30 per short ton (st). The move coincides with Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker opening its plate orderbook for January.
Domestic plate market participants anticipate strong economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, which they say is the perfect reason for spot market price hikes now.
SMU’s price indices increased across the board this week, reaching new multi-month highs.
Algoma Steel plans to continue its transition to electric-arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking using the CA$500 million in loans from the Ontario provincial and Canadian federal governments.
US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply edged lower for the third straight month, reaching 53.3 shipping days of supply on an adjusted basis at the end of October, according to SMU data.
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.
Just over half of the steel buyers who responded to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are willing to talk price on new spot orders. Mills have begun to hold a firmer stance on prices over our last two surveys.
SMU's sheet and plate steel prices moved higher in unison this week.
JSW Steel USA aims to increase steel plate prices by at least $40/short ton.
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.
Most sheet prices inched up again this week following mill efforts to set a floor under tags and to increase them from there.
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are considerably less willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were in recent weeks.
Steel mill lead times marginally extended for both sheet and plate products this week, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.
Algoma Steel’s net loss more than quadrupled in the third quarter on trade woes and its EAF transition. Separately, the company announced a change in leadership, as CEO Michael Garcia will retire at the end of the year.
Participants in the domestic steel plate market said the plate market never accepted mill-issued spot price increases.
Sheet steel indices increased across the board this week, while plate prices held steady. All five of SMU’s price indices are higher than they were two weeks ago, and all but one are above levels recorded four weeks ago.
Nucor entered the fourth quarter with clear forward momentum: stronger-than-expected results, solid sheet and plate demand, and construction progress on a major new mill that should add capacity next year.
Demand for plate on the spot market remains soft by comparison to years past. However, this week regional demand variations grew more pronounced.
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Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.
Steel mill lead times ticked lower across most sheet and plate products this week, according to responses from SMU’s latest market check.
Mills are more willing to negotiate spot prices for both sheet and plate products, according to our latest market survey results.