Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
December 13, 2013
The marketplace is buzzing as to why the mills east of the Rockies have not yet made a price increase announcement. Someone mentioned to me last week that ArcelorMittal could not push prices higher without attracting attention to themselves due to the announced purchase of ThyssenKrupp Steel USA.
AM does not want to be accused of price fixing. We also heard last week from a number of Nucor customers who felt that Nucor would not be the price leader as they have upset a number of their contract and previous contract customers during the negotiation process. The Nucor customers felt that if the mill made an announcement it would just be rubbing salt in an open wound. U.S. Steel generally does not like to go public with their price announcements. AK Steel and Severstal led last time and still have announcements out there which did not gain traction or support from most of the other mills. SDI never leads with price announcements. This leaves NLMK USA and a couple of conversion and smaller mini-mills.
We would like to hear from our readers – both as to what you think will happen over the next few months as well as what the domestic mills are telling you in their communications with you.
Steel Market Update will conduct our last steel market analysis beginning on Monday of this week. If you would like to be added to our invitee list please send me an email: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
I want to take a moment to congratulate Brett Linton who officially graduated from college today. Brett was our first employee hired and he will continue on with Steel Market Update as a full time employee now that his studies have been completed.
As always we want to take a moment to thank you our customers for you business and your recommendations to others to try Steel Market Update. Your business and kind words are truly appreciated.
John Packard, Publisher, Steel Market Update

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts: Steel Summit 2025 has launched!
Steel Summit 2025 has just launched, and we're off to an amazing start.

Final Thoughts
The big show is here again. SMU Steel Summit begins on Monday. This year, like last year, more than 1,500 people will be joining us. And I couldn’t be more excited to have everyone here in Atlanta.

Final Thoughts
With SMU Steel Summit starting in just a few days, I decided to go back and do a quick check on where things stand now compared to the week before Summit last year.

Final Thoughts
Is a pattern finally emerging in the post-Liberation Day tariff landscape?

Final Thoughts
Don't be puzzled. Solve our crossword, and get ready for Steel Summit 2025!