SMU Data and Models
February 5, 2015
SMU Steel Buyers Sentiment Index Drops to April 2014 Levels
Written by John Packard
Buyers and sellers of flat rolled steel are less optimistic about their company’s ability to be successful in the current market conditions than what we saw just two weeks ago. The buyers and sellers who participated in this week’s flat rolled steel market analysis reported concerns regarding falling steel prices, bloated inventories and shrinking margins.
The SMU Steel Buyers Sentiment Index is now at +46, the lowest figure since the first week of April 2014 when Sentiment was reported as being +43. Sentiment is down 10 points from the middle of January and is 8 points lower than what we saw one month ago. One year ago Sentiment was measured at +40, six points lower than where we find ourselves this week.
