SMU Data and Models

Lead Times Holding Their Own / Negotiations Not So Much
Written by John Packard
February 6, 2014
Based on the results of our steel market survey which we just completed this afternoon, lead times out of the domestic mills remained relatively constant compared to what we reported during the middle of January.
Hot rolled lead times slipped to 3.89 weeks (average) down from 4.09 weeks.
Cold rolled remained over 6 weeks at 6.32 weeks.
Galvanized also remained almost exactly the same at 6 weeks (6.18 weeks).
Galvalume also remained the same at 6.71 weeks.
Our respondents reported three of the four flat rolled products we are currently following, the percentage of the respondents reporting the domestic mills as willing to negotiate pricing on hot rolled, cold rolled and Galvanized increased compared to two weeks ago. The only item which showed less willingness to negotiate was Galvalume which dropped from 44 percent to 33 percent.

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models

SMU Survey: Mills unlikely to budge on price, buyers say
Four out of every five steel buyers who responded to our latest market survey say domestic mills are unwilling to negotiate on new order spot pricing. Mills have shown little flexibility on pricing for nearly two months.

SMU’s March at a glance
SMU’s Monthly Review provides a summary of our key steel market metrics for the previous month, with the latest data updated through March 31.

SMU Survey: Steel buyers maintain confident market outlook
SMU’s Buyers’ Sentiment Indices showed mixed movements this week but remain strong, reflecting continued confidence among steel buyers.

SMU Survey: Perspectives differ on impact of Trump tariffs
Are President Trump's tariff policies helping? Steel buyers offer their opinions on the impact of Trump's tariffs.

SMU Survey: Lead times stabilize as tariff-induced buying slows
After a multi-week increase, buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that lead times are stabilizing or marginally declining for each of the sheet and plate products we track.