Steel Mill Lead Times Moving Out: Steel Prices to Follow?

Spot lead times have begun to move out according to the lead time sheets shared with customers this week by their domestic mill suppliers. The most strength was seen in cold rolled and coated steels while hot rolled lead times remained stuck at 3-4 weeks in most cases. Steel buyers continue to prognosticate that there will be further price movement on flat rolled steel after the first of the New Year.

An AK Steel customer send Steel Market Update a note with their latest lead time sheet attached and a question: “Reality vs. self-promoting tightness?”