Tag: Sheet

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply fell for a fourth straight month in April, with shipping days of supply slipping to 45.7 on an adjusted basis, according to SMU data.

SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times remain extended, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.

US steel exports improved in March but remain historically low, having trended lower for over a year now.  

All five of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices ticked higher this week, rising further to new multi-year highs. Prices increased between $5-25 per short ton (st) from last week and are $30-65/st higher than they were one month ago.

On Monday, Nucor hiked its spot HR price by $10/ton.

Sheet market participants found modest spot price increases this past week, but conceded that overall market conditions remained stable.  

Following the historical lows seen in recent months, steel import volumes marginally increased in March and April.

The current rally in sheet prices has lasted more than seven months, something without recent precedent. Unless your definition of recent includes the snapback in demand following the pandemic.

Steel traders continue to report strong interest from North American buyers, with their import orders ticking higher, according to our latest survey results. Many manufacturers and service centers, however, report that they have not yet taken the bait.

Sheet and plate prices remained on an upward trend as industry sources increasingly asked whether improved demand might be driving the market as much as limited supply.

Domestic sheet market participants found business conditions remarkably consistent this week. 

Ferrosource LLC, a distributor of ferrous metals, is nearing completion of its steel processing facility on the campus of Big River Steel Works (BRSW) in Osceola, Ark. Operations are set to begin in August.

Steel mill lead times continue to hold at or near multi-year highs for both sheet and plate products, territory they have been in two months.

This week we saw low negotiation rates across all products, though coated products are the most negotiable and plate products are the least.

Last week, Steel Market Update and CRU hosted our inaugural VIP Briefing in Chicago ahead of the Scouting America Metals Industry Dinner.

Each of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices climbed higher this week, with all products rising further to new multi-year highs.

Nucor executives said US steel demand remains stable, with pockets of strength in data centers, energy, border fence work, and infrastructure.

Nucor's new, 3-million-ton-per-year sheet mill in Apple Grove, W.Va., has reached "about 85%" completion, with commissioning now underway.

Sheet market participants reported steady to elevated demand over the past week. But while spot prices continued to edge up, some sources said lead times were becoming more closely aligned to industry norms.

According to the latest findings from SMU’s survey, more respondents answered that President Trump’s tariff policies have been helpful to their businesses than in the prior survey. 

In a Final Thoughts las week, I asked “Got Steel?” And if you’re looking for spot tons in June, the answer still isn’t obvious.

Each of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices climbed higher this week, with most products rising further to new multi-year highs

Steel Dynamics Inc’s chief executive is bullish on M&A opportunities despite the rejection of its joint bid for Australia’s BlueScope Steel.

Steel Dynamics Inc.’s first-quarter 2026 earnings soared on record steel shipments and a jump in steel prices.

The flat-rolled steel market looks poised for continued gains despite widespread concerns about higher freight costs stemming from the Iran War, according to SMU's latest steel market survey.

Participants in the hot- and cold-rolled coils market are optimistic about the market's health.

Service centers held only 2.24 months of supply (49.3 days of supply) of sheet products in March, according to our latest figures. If you check our archives, you’ll see that's the lowest sheet inventories we’ve seen since June 2021 – which was hardly a bad year for steel.

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

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.