SMU Data and Models

SMU MoMo Remains in Positive Territory for 13th Week
Written by Brett Linton
August 29, 2013
The Steel Market Update Price MoMo Index for flat rolled steel in the U.S. remained in positive territory this week for the 13th consecutive week. MoMo, a trailing indicator, is based upon the current hot rolled coil price weighed against the previous 12 week average spot price as recorded by Steel Market Update.
MoMo was measured at 1.92 percent this week, down from 3.83 percent last week. The 3-week average change in MoMo is -1.12 percent, a decline for the 9th consecutive week. The graph below demonstrates the relationship between the SMU hot rolled coil price and the three week moving average change in MoMo. Our HRC price range for this week is $625/ton to $660/ton with an average price of $642.5/ton.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Survey: Sheet lead times ease further, plate hits one-year high
Steel buyers responding to this week’s SMU market survey report a continued softening in sheet lead times. Meanwhile, plate lead times have moderately extended and are at a one-year high.

SMU Survey: Buyers report more price flexibility from mills
Nearly half of the steel buyers responding to this week’s SMU market survey say domestic mills are showing increased willingness to negotiate pricing on new spot orders. This marks a significant shift from the firmer stance mills held in prior weeks.

SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment Indices fall
Current Sentiment Index dropped six points to +42 this week compared to two weeks earlier. It has fallen in every successive survey since reaching a 2025 high of +66 on Feb. 19.

March service center shipments and inventories report
Steel service center shipments and inventories report through March 2024.

Apparent steel supply contracts in February
The amount of finished steel that entered the US market in February receded from January’s peak, according to our analysis of Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.