SMU Data and Models
Mill Lead Times Remain Stuck at Mid-June Levels
Written by John Packard
July 9, 2015
Even with a new price increase announcement out of US Steel (+$40) lead times remain flat compared to what we saw during the middle of June. All of the products, hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized and Galvalume lead times are shorter than what we reported at the beginning of July 2014.
Hot rolled lead times remain stuck averaging just under 4 weeks, based on the responses received during this week’s flat rolled steel survey results. The four weeks is an average of the responses received from both manufacturing companies and service centers. Mill responses are not considered for this particular group of data. Hot rolled was averaging 4.63 weeks one year ago.
Cold rolled lead times averaged 5.88 weeks, exactly one week less than one year ago and just about the same as the 5.78 reported during the middle of June.
Galvanized lead times also remained range bound at 6.33 weeks, almost exactly the same as mid-June and about one half week shorter than the 6.76 weeks reported this time last year.
Galvalume, like galvanized, was also one half week shorter than one year ago and is averaging 6.56 weeks. The lead times on AZ has barely moved over since the beginning of June.
To see an interactive history of our Steel Mill Lead Time data, visit our website here.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models
Apparent steel supply eases in August
The volume of finished steel entering the US market declined in August from July, according to SMU’s analysis of data from the US Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Referred to as ‘apparent steel supply,’ we calculate this monthly rate by combining domestic steel mill shipments and finished US steel imports and deducting total US steel exports.
September service center shipments and inventories report
Flat rolled = 60.8 shipping days of supply Plate = 52.7 shipping days of supply Flat rolled Flat-rolled steel supply at US service centers declined in September, though still seasonally high. September’s report reflects lower demand, stable lead times, and restocking early in the third quarter at a perceived bottom in prices. At the end […]
SMU market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]
SMU survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices diverge
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices moved in different directions this week. Our Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index eased to a six-week low, while Future Buyers’ Sentiment ticked up to a four-week high. Both of our Indices continue to indicate optimism among steel buyers.
SMU survey: Mill lead times stretch out marginally
Steel mill lead times inched up this week for most sheet and plate products, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.