SMU Data and Models
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/b2e5dbe9f1848792a89c176e72e27fde.jpg)
Steel Mill Lead Times Weaker than Last Year
Written by John Packard
August 20, 2015
Lead times for hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized and Galvalume steels continue to remain moderately short at most of the domestic steel mills according to the results of this week’s flat rolled steel market analysis.
Hot rolled lead times averaged 3.38 weeks which is essentially unchanged over the past month and below the 4 week average we were reporting in mid-June and early July. Last year at this time HRC lead times averaged 4.30 weeks, a full week longer than what we are seeing today.
Cold rolled lead times averaged 5.48 weeks, again essentially unchanged from the 5.65 weeks from the beginning of the month. CRC lead times have been basically flat going all the way back to May. One year ago lead times were one week longer at 6.38 weeks.
The story on galvanized is similar to that of cold rolled. Lead times averaged 5.58 weeks or down slightly from the 6.0 weeks reported at the beginning of August. Last year lead times were extended by one more week to 6.58 weeks.
Galvalume bucked the trend with our average being slightly longer at 6.50 weeks than the 6.14 weeks reported at the beginning of August. Galvalume lead times are close to what was reported one year ago (6.75 weeks).
To see an interactive history of our Steel Mill Lead Time data, visit our website here.
add pic
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/john-packard.png)
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/cropped-SMU_Mobile_final.png)
SMU’s August at a glance
SMU’s Monthly Review provides a summary of important steel market metrics for the previous month. Our August report includes data updated through August 30th.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Premium1.png)
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.”
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/cropped-SMU_Mobile_final.png)
SMU survey: Lead times edge higher for sheet
Current steel mill lead time averages are a few days longer than levels seen one month prior, but remain near historical lows for both sheet and plate products.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/cropped-SMU_Mobile_final.png)
SMU survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices surge
Both our Current and Future Indices are now up to multi-month highs, indicating continued optimism among steel buyers.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/cropped-SMU_Mobile_final.png)
SMU survey: Mills’ flexibility on prices up slightly
Steel buyers found mills slightly more willing to negotiate spot prices this week, according to our most recent survey data. Though this negotiation rate has ticked up vs. our previous market check, overall rates have been trending downward since July’s highs.