SMU Steel Buyers Sentiment: Never Been Higher

If steel buyers are concerned about lead times that are beginning to shorten and price increases that are beginning to slow, there is no sign of it in this week’s Steel Buyers Sentiment readings. The Current and Future Sentiment indexes remain at or near record highs as steel producers and distributors continue to enjoy record revenues and profits.

At a reading of +79, the Current Sentiment Index is tied with the all-time high seen in mid-June and mid-July. Future Sentiment registered +70 this week, down three points from earlier this month but still not far from the historical high of +77 seen in February 2018.