Steel Products

Prepainted Flat Rolled Imports Lower in June
Written by Brett Linton
August 16, 2013
Prepainted flat rolled imports declined on a month-over-month basis on all products with the exception of prepainted cold-rolled sheet and strip. Compared to the same month one year ago, prepainted imports increased for galvanized and electro-galvanized, but decreased for cold rolled sheet and strip.
As you can see by our table below – prepainted cold rolled (CR) imports increased by 673 NT or 17.9 percent from May to June and were above both the 3-month and 12-month moving averages. They were 864 NT or 16.3 percent below levels one year ago.
Prepainted galvanized (GI) imports declined by 2,657 NT or 17.5 percent month-over-month. They were well below both the 3MMA and 12MMA. Compared to one year ago, prepainted GI imports were up 209 NT or 1.7 percent.
Prepainted electro-galvanized (EG) imports declined significantly by 453 NT or 67 percent month-over-month. They were well below both the 3MMA and 12MMA. Compared to one year ago, prepainted EG imports were up 187 NT.
Prepainted Galvalume (AZ) imports declined by 887 NT or 10.2 percent over last month, and they were below both the 3-month and 12-month moving averages. Tonnage imported in June was nearly four times what was imported in the same month one year ago.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest 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.