SMU Data and Models
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
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models
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 rebound
Following months of fluctuations, SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices rebounded this week, now at multi-month highs. Both of our Indices remain in positive territory and indicate that steel buyers are optimistic about the success of their businesses.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times remain stable and short
Steel buyers participating in our market survey this week reported stable mill lead times for both sheet and plate steel products.
SMU Survey: Most buyers report mills still willing to talk price
Most steel buyers SMU polled this week reported that mills remain willing to negotiate new order pricing.
October service center shipments and inventories report
Flat rolled = 63.4 shipping days of supply Plate = 52.4 shipping days of supply Flat rolled shipments and inventories Flat-rolled steel supply at US service centers remains seasonally high. October inventories increased after edging lower in September – a dynamic driven largely by disappointing demand. October’s report reflects lower demand and stable lead times […]