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North America During the third quarter of 2023, the Galvanized Plain Sheet prices in the US market increased, primarily due to limited inventories and the strong downstream automotive industry. After a slow start following the New Year's holiday, demand began to pick up moderately, leading to increased customer inquiries and shipments at service centers. However, buyers were hesitant to stock up on steel products, given the short lead times. The January trade was dominated by mills with larger appetites, leading to increased regional competition. As flat-rolled steelmakers increased their purchasing programs, prime-grade prices rose. The combination of tight supply, rising demand, and a surge in export markets pushed prices higher. Mills booked slightly more than they could produce, implying that deliveries might be delayed until May. Some mills reportedly postponed new bookings while more made bookings for May. Confirmed orders were safeguarded until fully shipped. When mills a...

North America During the third quarter of 2023, the Galvanized Plain Sheet prices in the US market increased, primarily due to limited inventories and the strong downstream automotive industry. After a slow start following the New Year's holiday, demand began to pick up moderately, leading to increased customer inquiries and shipments at service centers. However, buyers were hesitant to stock up on steel products, given the short lead times. The January trade was dominated by mills with larger appetites, leading to increased regional competition. As flat-rolled steelmakers increased their purchasing programs, prime-grade prices rose. The combination of tight supply, rising demand, and a surge in export markets pushed prices higher. Mills booked slightly more than they could produce, implying that deliveries might be delayed until May. Some mills reportedly postponed new bookings while more made bookings for May. Confirmed orders were safeguarded until fully shipped. When mills a...

North America During the third quarter of 2023, the Galvanized Plain Sheet prices in the US market increased, primarily due to limited inventories and the strong downstream automotive industry. After a slow start following the New Year's holiday, demand began to pick up moderately, leading to increased customer inquiries and shipments at service centers. However, buyers were hesitant to stock up on steel products, given the short lead times. The January trade was dominated by mills with larger appetites, leading to increased regional competition. As flat-rolled steelmakers increased their purchasing programs, prime-grade prices rose. The combination of tight supply, rising demand, and a surge in export markets pushed prices higher. Mills booked slightly more than they could produce, implying that deliveries might be delayed until May. Some mills reportedly postponed new bookings while more made bookings for May. Confirmed orders were safeguarded until fully shipped. When mills a...

North America The fourth quarter of 2022 saw a significant drop in the price of the galvanized plain sheet in the US market due to declining demand dynamics and lengthy lead times. US Steel had already shut down two blast furnaces as a consequence of imminent market conditions. Buyers continued to prioritize reducing inventories for all products through the end of the year, which prevented them from participating in the spot market made possible by domestic mills' shorter lead times as opposed to imports' longer lead times. Market participants said that lead times had increased from 6 weeks to 6-7 weeks and that the regional market's inventory level was sufficient to satisfy domestic demand. Several significant manufacturers have increased their quotation range in response to price hikes in the marketplace. In addition, market participants saw that steel mills were sticking to their offers despite a slowdown in purchasing activity before the year's conclusion. However...

North America The fourth quarter of 2022 saw a significant drop in the price of the galvanized plain sheet in the US market due to declining demand dynamics and lengthy lead times. US Steel had already shut down two blast furnaces as a consequence of imminent market conditions. Buyers continued to prioritize reducing inventories for all products through the end of the year, which prevented them from participating in the spot market made possible by domestic mills' shorter lead times as opposed to imports' longer lead times. Market participants said that lead times had increased from 6 weeks to 6-7 weeks and that the regional market's inventory level was sufficient to satisfy domestic demand. Several significant manufacturers have increased their quotation range in response to price hikes in the marketplace. In addition, market participants saw that steel mills were sticking to their offers despite a slowdown in purchasing activity before the year's conclusion. However...