SMU Data and Models
March 8, 2020
SMU Steel Buyers Sentiment Index: Slight Uptick Despite Coronavirus Fears
Written by Tim Triplett
Steel buyers sentiment, as measured by Steel Market Update, has moved up and down within a small, three-point range since the beginning of the year. Both Current and Future Sentiment registered a very slight uptick in the past few weeks and remain in optimistic territory well above the average of +47 to +51 in 2019. But comments from respondents show increasing concern over the coronavirus outbreak.
SMU’s Current Sentiment Index registered +58 this week, up from +56 two weeks ago. The Future Sentiment Index rose one point to +61. Neither change is very significant, but they leave sentiment at strong levels well above the six-year lows in the +20s and +30s in September and October 2019.
