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* Hot-rolled coil, cold-rolled coil, plate lead times unchanged
* Hot-dipped galvanized steel lead time shortens

Average US mill lead times for flat-rolled finished steel products remained unchanged or shrank in the week since May 7, Platts data showed May 14.
The average mill lead time for hot-rolled coil held at 5.7 weeks, according to Platts data.
Platts assessed the daily TSI US HRC index at $895/st on May 14, unchanged on the day but down $10 on the week.
A Midwest service center source placed lead times for HRC at three-four weeks, as prices have been on the decline following a period of panic buys, and most customers have filled their shelves for March, April and maybe even May. Adding that lead times for cold-rolled coil are in the five- to six-week range.
Nothing screams no demand [more] than short lead times, said the service center source.
A trader placed HRC into the second week of June, as the market has become pessimistic and is holding off on buying materials, as prices seem to continue to fall.
A second Midwest service center source said HRC lead times will likely shorten further into the summer. He said he was trying to remain optimistic for June, as there have been good shipments.
“July and beyond look dismal, which is being reflected in mill order books for June,” the trader said.
The average US mill lead time for hot-dipped galvanized steel products reduced to 6.7 weeks from seven weeks, while the daily Platts TSI US HDG index for the hot-rolled substrate was unchanged on the day and the week at $1,060/st. The cold-rolled substrate was also unchanged on the day and the week at $1,080/st.
Average lead times for cold-rolled held at 7.1 weeks, with the daily Platts TSI US CRC index assessed at $1,110/st, unchanged on the day and the week.
The average plate lead time remained at 5.3 weeks. Platts assessed the daily TSI US plate index at $1,240/st on a delivered basis, unchanged on the day and the week.
A Midwest service center placed plate lead times in the five- to six-week range as market conditions have remained lackluster on bearish demand.
A second trader placed lead times in the four- to five-week range as plate mills are trying to hold on to their high base prices despite quiet order books.
Hearing more comments saying that with scrap coming down, pressure will be added to plate and prices will have to come down, the trader said.
Platts is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.