SMU Data and Models

SMU Comparison Price Indices: Another Notch Lower
Written by John Packard
March 16, 2014
The indexes are beginning to spread out, especially on benchmark hot rolled coil pricing. Steel Market Update saw HRC prices down $15 per ton this past week, SteelBenchmarker was $16 per ton lower (but they only produce prices twice per month), CRU down $5 and Platts held the line even with the previous week.
The spread on cold rolled is might tighter than hot rolled with the four indexes averaging $753 per ton.
Galvanized was quite tight between SMU and CRU and Galvalume we stand unopposed having dropped Steel Orbis the week prior to this week.
Plate prices moved in the opposite direction with all three indexes posting double digit gains for plate over the previous week. The plate average is now $811 per ton (up $19 per ton).

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.