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    Service Center Flat Rolled Inventories Beginning to Expand

    Written by Brett Linton


    After compiling the results from our most recent Steel Market Update survey, we found service center inventories have risen to an average of 2.21 months for mid-November, the highest figure since mid-July of this year.

    This is an improvement compared to the early-November survey, when inventories were measured at 2.04 months, the lowest figure since mid-October 2011. One year ago SMU analysis of service centers had inventories at 2.31 months. Current inventory levels are growing but are still 4.3 percent below 2012 levels.

    Brett Linton

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