SMU Data and Models
Steel Buyers Survey: Prices Will Move Sideways by February
Written by John Packard
January 12, 2014
The majority of flat rolled steel buyers and sellers taking our most recent Steel Market Update (SMU) survey are reporting that they expect that domestic steel mills will be able to collect their most recent price increase within the first two full weeks of January.
According to our survey results, 54 percent of those responding to last week’s survey believe the domestic steel mills will be able to collect the most recent $20 per ton ($700 per ton hot rolled and $40.50/cwt minimum base prices on cold rolled and coated plus extras).
Those responding to the survey were not quite as optimistic that prices would move higher by the time we reach the beginning of February. The majority of the respondents (53 percent) believe prices will remain the same while 36 percent are of the opinion there is room for prices to move higher. Only 11 percent believe prices will move lower by the time we reach the beginning of February.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models
SMU Survey: Current Buyers’ Sentiment Index jumps, Future Sentiment slips
SMU’s Current Buyers’ Sentiment Index rocketed up this week, while the Future Buyers’ Sentiment Index edged down. The two indices are almost at parity.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times stretch to 10-month highs
Buyers responding to our latest market survey reported that steel mill lead times were stretching out this week for sheet and plate products tracked by SMU. The results weren’t much of a surprise. Production times have begun moving out following a wave of frenzied buying in response to stricter Section 232 announced by the Trump […]
SMU Survey: Mills slam door on buyers looking to talk price
Mills’ flexibility on price for spot orders has taken a nosedive to levels not seen since the end of March 2023.
SMU Survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment indicates increased optimism
After reaching multi-month lows in mid-January, SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices rebounded this week to some of the highest readings recorded in months.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times fluctuate, extensions expected
While we have seen some movements in recent weeks, steel mill production times remain within a few days of the historical lows observed over the last two years, a trend observed since mid-2024.