SMU Data and Models
Steel Prices May be Down but Steel Mills Still Willing to Negotiate
Written by John Packard
March 22, 2015
Based on the results from our most recent flat rolled steel market analysis which we conducted this past week, manufacturing companies and service centers reported domestic (USA and Canada) steel mills as willing to negotiate pricing on hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized and Galvalume steel coils.
As you can see by the graphic shared below, since the beginning of December the respondents to our survey have been almost unanimous in their depiction of the mills as willing to negotiate pricing on all products.
It is our opinion the willingness to negotiate is due to: excessive inventories at the service centers which has caused many of the service centers to adjust inventories by not buying or slowing down their purchases of domestic steel, the rapid deterioration of the energy sector due to the massive drop in oil prices, huge amounts of imported steel which the mills have to compete against and lower than normal lead times – a direct result of weak order books.
Below is an interactive graphic of the SMU Mill Lead Times History, but it can only be seen when you are logged into the website and reading the newsletter online. If you need any assistance logging in or navigating the website, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.
{amchart id=”113″ SMU Negotiations by Product- Survey}
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models
Apparent steel supply contracts in February
The amount of finished steel that entered the US market in February receded from January’s peak, according to our analysis of Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.
SMU Steel Survey: Sentiment Indices dip as buyer optimism softens
SMU’s Buyers’ Sentiment Indices experienced multi-point declines this week, though both remain positive and continue to reflect optimism among steel buyers for their companies' ability to be successful.
SMU Scrap Survey: Current Buyers’ Sentiment flat, Future Sentiment tumbles
SMU's Current Scrap Buyers' Sentiment Index remained flat this month, while the Future Sentiment Index declined.
SMU Survey: Steel mill lead times show diverging trends
Buyers responding to our latest market survey reported that sheet lead times continue to gradually decline from recent highs. Meanwhile, plate lead times increased to levels last seen one year ago.
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.