Service Centers
SMU Service Center Inventories at Lowest Level of the Year
Written by John Packard
November 10, 2013
Steel Market Update (SMU) asked those distributors participating in our twice monthly steel market survey to advise us how many months of flat rolled steel they have on hand. We do not pretend to possess the data base of the MSCI and we defer to their data base – especially in the case of the larger service centers.
Steel Market Update does not weigh the data based on the size of the company. Each company is treated equally and the data compiled provides a snap-shot which we believe is valuable when considering if flat rolled inventories are perceived to be short tons, balanced or in excess.
In our most recent survey results we found the service centers inventories as averaging 2.04 months which is the lowest level we have found since 4th Quarter 2011.
In the graphic below we have provided MSCI seasonally adjusted (blue line) and not adjusted (green) for you to analyze along with our results. The MSCI data is as of the end of September as they have not yet published October results.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Service Centers
Klöckner narrows Q1 loss, targets growth in North America and Europe
Germany’s Klöckner & Co. reported a narrower loss in the first quarter as the company targets becoming the “leading” service center and metal processing firm in North America and Europe by 2030.
Russel mulls buying US service centers despite Q1 profit dip
Russel Metals’ earnings slipped in the first quarter, but the company is still eyeing service center acquisitions in the US.
Olympic Steel earnings slump in ‘challenging’ first quarter
Olympic Steel’s earnings slid in the first quarter as the steel industry faced a “challenging” economic conditions.
Olympic taps Scott for board, Rippey steps down
Olympic Steel elected Peter J. Scott to its board of directors at its annual meeting on May 2. At the same time, long-time director Michael G. Rippey has retired from the board after 10 years.
Ryerson narrows loss in first quarter
Ryerson's net loss shrinks in first quarter.