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: 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.
SMU Survey: Buyers report mills are slightly less flexible on pricing
Steel buyers of sheet and plate products say mills are still willing to bend on spot pricing this week, though not quite as much as they were two weeks prior, according to our most recent survey data.
December energy market update
Trends in energy prices and active rig counts are leading demand indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG), line pipe and other steel products
Apparent steel supply remained near two-year low in October
Referred to as ‘apparent steel supply’, we calculate this volume by combining domestic steel mill shipments with finished US steel imports and deducting total US steel exports.