Steel Products
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
January 25, 2013
A quick reminder that our Steel 101 workshop registration is open – details about our program, our instructors, and the tour of Severstal Columbus which is part of the program and discount details for SMU member companies are on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com – or you are welcome to contact our office with any questions you might have: 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com. The dates on the upcoming Steel 101 workshop are February 27 & 28, 2013.
I will be at the AIIS West Coast dinner this evening (Thursday) in Long Beach, California. On Monday and part of Tuesday I anticipate being at ASHRAE – AHRI Expo in Dallas, Texas. I expect to be back in my office by Thursday of next week.
We included a couple of articles about Europe as we have been getting some questions regarding the situation there.
Foreign prices are going higher. I am hearing from a number of my sources that prices in China are up, prices for foreign in Houston are moving higher and many foreign offers are on par with pre-announcement domestic prices. Higher foreign prices, if coupled with less imports, will help support domestic price increases.
Does this mean these price increase announcements will stick? Too early to tell – watch mill order books and listen to your mill sales people. Are they holding the line or willing to negotiate?
As always your business is truly appreciated.

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products

September energy market update
In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels through September. Trends in energy prices and rig counts serve as leading indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and line pipe demand.

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.

U.S. Steel to halt slab conversion at Granite City Works
U.S. Steel said it plans to reduce slab consumption at its Granite City Works near St. Louis, a company spokesperson said on Monday. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker will shift the production and processing of steel slabs to its Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh and its Gary Works near Chicago. Citing a United Steelworkers (USW) union memo, […]

SMU Week in Review: September 1-5
Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on.

HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics
As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.