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: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices stable to start 2025
Both SMU Steel Buyers' Sentiment Indices remain in positive territory, indicating that steel buyers are optimistic about the success of their businesses.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times short and steady to start 2025
Buyers participating in our first market survey of 2025 reported a slight decline in mill lead times compared to our last survey in mid-December. After rising moderately in early December, lead times edged lower through this week and are now only slightly above the lows seen back in July and November. Overall, production times have remained historically short since last summer, with minimal movement since then.
SMU’s December at a glance
SMU’s Monthly Review provides a summary of important steel market metrics for the previous month. Our latest report includes data updated through December 31st.
SMU Survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices contrast at year end
Both of our Sentiment Indices remain in positive territory and indicate that steel buyers are optimistic about the success of their businesses.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times contract slightly, remain short
Steel mill production times have seen very little change since September, according to buyers participating in our latest market survey.