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.
Nucor plans to increase its list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $1,040 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week.
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?
Steel buyers remain highly optimistic for their businesses’ chances for current and future success, according to SMU’s latest Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices.
As spot prices for hot- and cold-rolled coils edge higher, mill capacity utilization rates hover below 80%, raising concern among some market participants.
Most steel buyers report that domestic mills are unwilling to negotiate price on new sheet and plate spot orders.
This week sources said spot prices on hot-rolled coils increased modestly.
Domestic plate market participants expressed confidence in the overall improvement of market conditions this 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.
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.
Participants in the US hot- and cold-rolled sheet market cautiously called the week a win as prices inched north and demand picked up.
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week said domestic mills remain unwilling to negotiate lower prices for new spot orders.
SMU's Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices continue to show that steel buyers are optimistic for their businesses’ chances of success.
Since late 2025, mills have begun to hold a firmer stance on prices, tightening their grip at the start of this year and holding on since
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.
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?
One third of the steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are negotiable on new spot order pricing. Mills began to hold a firmer stance on prices towards the end of last year, tightening their grip in early January and holding it since.
Participants in the hot- and cold-rolled coil markets said winter storms in the East and Midwest may disrupt weekly order volumes and prices.
Rising global capital and power costs, driven by China's production cap and higher-cost expansion in Indonesia, are resetting aluminum's incentive price, making higher LME levels necessary to unlock new primary capacity outside China.
Just over a third of the steel buyers who responded to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are willing to talk price to secure new spot orders.
We will examine the wisdom of hedging from the perspective of both the LME and Midwest premium, and whether you are approaching the market as a buyer or a seller.
Nucor increased its weekly hot-rolled coil spot list price by $10 per short ton (st) again on Monday, Dec. 15. This was its eighth increase in as many weeks, moving up $65/st over that span.
US plate market participants hope the new year will bring favorable market conditions. But they remain leery of making big purchases because of lingering uncertainty.
Less than 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
Nucor increased its weekly hot-rolled coil spot list price by $10 per short ton (st) on Monday, Dec. 8.
The price hike parade that got underway in earnest in November looks set to continue in December. And it's been joined by, well, just about everybody.
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.