SMU Data and Models
October 1, 2020
Steel Mill Negotiations: It's a Seller's Market
Written by Tim Triplett
It’s a seller’s market as the mills hold firm in price talks on hot rolled, cold rolled and coated steel orders, while they seek to collect the higher prices announced this week in an improving market, according to respondents to Steel Market Update’s market trends questionnaire.
About 77 percent of the hot rolled steel buyers responding to SMU’s poll this week said the mills are not willing to deal on HR. That’s up from 61 percent a month ago, but down slightly from 87 percent two weeks ago. Only 23 percent said the mills are now willing to bargain to secure an HR order.
