Steel Products Prices North America
August Imports Forecast to Increase by 6.8% over July
Written by John Packard
September 5, 2013
Based on the most recent compiled license data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, total steel imports are poised to rise by 6.8 percent in August compared to the prior month. August imports are forecast to be 2,691,265 net tons which are above both the 3 month and 12 month moving averages. August imports are forecast to be up 9.5 percent compared to June imports.
When looking at semi-finished we see higher flows of slabs which we believe are due to the CSA slab mill bringing their #2 blast furnace back online and beginning to replenish the ThyssenKrupp Steel USA mill in Alabama.
Imports of all of the other flat rolled products followed by Steel Market Update on a regular basis are forecast to be higher in August than both the prior month as well as above the 3MMA and 12MMA.
What will be interesting to watch from here are the months of September and October which could be much higher on flat rolled products due to the increases in domestic steel prices which began in late May.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate steady ahead of Independence Day
Sheet and plate prices were little changed in the shortened week ahead of Independence Day, according to SMU’s latest check of the market.
Nucor maintains plate prices, opens August order book
Nucor aims to keep plate prices flat again with the opening of its August order book.
Nucor CSP remains level at $900/ton
Nucor maintained its weekly list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil this week, following two consecutive increases.
Cliffs raises prices, seeks $950/ton for July spot HR
Cleveland-Cliffs plans to increase prices for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $950 per short ton (st) with the opening of its July spot order book. The Cleveland-based steelmaker said the price hike was effective immediately in a letter to customers dated Monday.
HRC vs. prime scrap spread widens in June
The price spread between HRC and prime scrap widened in June.