Final Thoughts
Sheet prices mostly ticked higher again this week. And the reasons shouldn’t come as a big surprise to anyone who has been reading SMU lately.
Sheet prices mostly ticked higher again this week. And the reasons shouldn’t come as a big surprise to anyone who has been reading SMU lately.
Following last week’s pause, SMU’s price indices were overall steady to higher this week, holding at or near multi-month highs.
According to recently finalized US Commerce Department data, US steel imports tumbled to a near five-year low in September
Steel mill lead times held relatively steady this week on both sheet and plate products, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.
Participants in the domestic coil market hope producer price increases indicate strong market conditions entering the new year.
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 has announced new base prices for galvanized steel products as of Wednesday, Dec. 10.
SMU’s sheet and plate prices took a breather this week, holding relatively steady at multi-month highs.
NLMK has revised their galvanized and galvanneal coating extras effective January 2026.
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.
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.
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.
SSAB Americas aims to increase prices on all its products by at least $40 per short ton (st).
Sources say domestic mill lead times and consumer spot prices have increased this week.
Sheet prices are in the middle of one of their most sustained rallies since the first quarter, and this time in the absence of any tariff or trade policy shocks.
SMU’s price indices increased across the board this week, reaching new multi-month highs.
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.
Global sheet markets face divergent trajectories into year-end, with Asian (excl. India) markets under pressure from oversupply. This, while Western markets experience temporary support from supply constraints.
US sheet market participants say demand for hot- and cold-rolled coils has not increased, leaving them confused by mill price increases and average lead times.
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.
Nippon Steel is positioning U.S. Steel as a cornerstone of its global growth strategy, highlighting the US as the most developed and demand-rich market, especially for premium steel products used in the automotive, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
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.
ArcelorMittal Dofasco and Stelco joined recent moves by US mills to push sheet prices higher.
Shipments from US steel mills were strong in September, according to the latest figures provided by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Most sheet prices inched up again this week following mill efforts to set a floor under tags and to increase them from there.