SMU Data and Models
September 17, 2020
Steel Mill Negotiations: More Mills Holding the Line
Written by Tim Triplett
With steel prices on the rise and another round of increases in play, the mills appear to have the upper hand in negotiations. The mills are holding the line in price talks on hot rolled, cold rolled and coated steel orders, as well as plate, according to respondents to Steel Market Update’s market trends questionnaire this week.
About 87 percent of the hot rolled steel buyers responding to SMU’s poll this week said the mills are no longer willing to deal on HR. That’s up from 61 percent two weeks ago. Only 13 percent said the mills are still willing to bargain to secure an HR order.
