Steel Products Prices North America
AISI Estimated Raw Steel Production & Capacity Utilization Rates
Written by Brett Linton
September 3, 2013
For the week ending August 31, 2013, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. steel industry produced 1,856,000 net tons of raw steel, a 0.3 percent decrease over the previous week and a 2.2 decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 77.5 percent, down from 77.7 percent last week but up from 76.3 percent last year.
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2013 YTD is reported to be 64,709,000 NT, down 4.3 percent from the 67,639,000 NT produced through the same period in 2012. The average capacity utilization rate for 2013 YTD is estimated to be 77.2 percent, down from 77.8 percent for 2012 YTD. SMU advises our readers that since last year’s comparison is against different tonnage capacity, you are better served to compare tonnage production as done in the graphic provided above.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: North East at 199,000 net tons, down 14,000 tons. Great Lakes at 628,000 NT, up 24,000 tons. Midwest at 234,000 NT, down 10,000 tons. South at 705,000 NT, down 2,000 tons. West at 90,000 NT, down 3,000 tons. Total production was 1,856,000 NT, down 5,000 tons.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
Thin demand keeps plate prices hovering at lowest levels since February
Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.
SMU Price Ranges: HR crawls back to $800/ton
SMU’s HR price stands at $800/st on average, up $5/st from last week. The modest gain came as the low end of our range firmed, and despite the high end of our range declining slightly.
SMU successfully completes IOSCO review
SMU has successfully completed an external review of all our prices. The review has concluded that they algin with principles set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
Domestic plate prices could heat up despite so-so demand, market sources say
Some sources also speculated that plate could see further price increases thanks to modest but steady demand, lower imports, mill maintenance outages, and end markets less immediately affected by tariff-related disruptions.
SMU Price Ranges: HR holds, galv slips amid competing market narratives
SMU’s sheet and plate prices see-sawed this week as hot-rolled (HR) coil prices held their ground while prices for galvanized product slipped.