HRC lead times for the week ending 5/27 slipped to 2 weeks from 3.8 in the previous week. These levels represent the lowest since the start of the year with some sources even quoting lead times below these levels.

Lead times for HDG remained unchanged at last week’s level of 5.3 weeks – also a low for the year, while CRC slipped to 5.6 from 6.2 last week – just 0.2 weeks off this year’s low of 5.4.

Sources: The Steel Index, Steel Business Briefing