In Steel Market Update’s latest issue, we gave SMU members the update on the flat rolled steel market in North America. It’s been a busy first of the year with a lot going on in the steel industry. SMU reported on the various steel mills changing their prices, analyzing whether the other mills will follow suit or keep at their current pricing position.

Our latest SMU Steel Buyers Sentiment Index set a new high for our index, indicating buyers and sellers of flat rolled steel are optimistic about the future of the steel industry and their company’s ability to succeed. We speak directly with buyers and sellers all over the country to get their feedback on market conditions, along with a market survey sent out to over 700 North American companies.

Our Thursday night’s newsletter gave service center shipment and inventory data for total steel as well as flat rolled steel and plate numbers. We include charts to track the progress of monthly tonnage shipped and month’s supply. Another article on this subject, SMU wrote about Canadian service center shipments and inventories for flat rolled steel and plate.

One domestic steel mill, RG Steel, has new investors to help bring the mill back to life. Read more on what the investors will do to help and if the newly restarted mill will succeed. SMU also included a question on our market survey asking those involved in the flat rolled steel community what they thought about the mill and if they would continue to buy from the mill.

SMU covers various economic data, such as the recent article on the Architecture Billings Index. This index indicated design service activity was growing, giving hope for new construction projects in the next few months. Steel exports and apparent steel supply are other topics covered in our newsletter. Is the U.S. a net exporter or importer – read our latest issue to find out. We have also covered world steel production for key countries, showing the annual change in output.

To see more on what SMU covered in the latest issue, click on the buttons below for a free trial or to subscribe as an annual member. If you have any questions, please email info@steelmarketupdate.com or call 1.800.432.3475.