Tag: pricing

What's on steel buyers' minds this week? We asked about market prices, demand, inventories, tariffs, imports, and other evolving market trends. Read on for buyers' comments in their own words...

After marginally rising in August and September, the premium galvanized coil carries over hot-rolled coil (HRC) coil has narrowed again in recent weeks. As of Sept. 16, the spread between these two products has shrunk to a two-and-a-half-year low of $125 per short ton (st).

Some sources also speculated that plate could see further price increases thanks to modest but steady demand, lower imports, mill maintenance outages, and end markets less immediately affected by tariff-related disruptions.

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.

SMU’s sheet and plate prices see-sawed this week as hot-rolled (HR) coil prices held their ground while prices for galvanized product slipped.

Each of our Sentiment Indices continues to reflect that steel buyers are positive about their present and future business prospects, though that confidence has eased considerably compared to the beginning of the year.

Steel buyers say mills remain slightly more willing to negotiate spot prices for sheet and plate products than in mid-September, according to our latest market survey.

Domestic plate market participants are optimistic about the market despite the ongoing uncertainty that’s characterized most of 2025, sources said.  

Market chatter from steel buyers this week: prices steady to slightly higher, demand weak, inventories slow, and tariffs clouding the outlook.

Sheet and plate buyers say mills remain open to negotiating spot prices this week, though less so than in recent weeks, according to SMU’s latest market survey.

The premium galvanized coil carries over hot-rolled coil (HRC) coil has marginally widened in recent months. As of Sept. 16, the spread between these two products reached a three-month high of $175 per short ton (st), though it is still low by historical standards.

The price spread between prime scrap and hot-rolled coil (HRC) narrowed by a hair this month, according to SMU’s most recent pricing data.

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.

Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on. 

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices ticked higher this week, according to the latest data from our flat-rolled steel survey.

The majority of steel buyers responding to this week’s market survey continue to report that mills are open to negotiating spot prices on sheet and plate products.

Steel prices remained largely unchanged this week, staying at or near lows last seen in February. All five sheet and plate products tracked by SMU moved by no more than $5 per short ton (st) from the previous week.

The majority of steel buyers responding to our market survey this week continue to say that mills are negotiable on new spot order prices. Negotiation rates have remained high since May.

All five of SMU's steel sheet and plate price indices declined this week, falling to lows last seen in February.

Most steel buyers continue to report that mills are open to negotiating spot prices. Negotiation rates have remained high for most of the past three months.

More than nine out of every ten steel buyers polled by SMU this week reported that mills are negotiable on new order prices. Negotiation rates have increased in each of our last three surveys following the early-June lull, reaching a record high this week.

Steel prices continued to decline this week across all of the sheet and plate products tracked by SMU, pressured by short lead times and the typical summer slowdown.

Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market events.

US sheet and plate prices were flat or lower as reduced import volumes were offset by so-so demand.

A roundup of steel industry news that happened this week, as reported by Steel Market Update.

Domestic mills are more open to talk price on new orders than they were in June, according to most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week. Negotiation rates have recovered from the early-June lull and are now just a few percentage points shy of the high levels seen late last year.

Sheet and plate prices slipped this week on so-so demand, sideways scrap prices, and chatter that certain mills were making unsolicited calls looking for tons.

A roundup of trade news, what's up with Brazilian pig iron, SMU's latest survey results and more to keep you up to date.

The majority of steel buyers responding to our latest market survey say domestic mills are more willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were earlier this month. Sheet negotiation rates rebounded across the board compared to early June, while our plate negotiation rate hit a full 100%.

As of June 24, the premium galvanized coil carries over hot-rolled coil is just $5 per short ton (st) above the lowest level recorded in almost two years.