Economy
Demand Continues to Improve
Written by John Packard
February 9, 2014
Based strictly on our most recent flat rolled steel survey results, Steel Market Update is seeing modest improvements being reported in demand. As a group, our survey respondents have been becoming more optimistic as those reporting demand as in decline has shrunk from 17 percent in early December to 7 percent this past week. At the same time, we have seen improvement in those reporting demand as “improving.” We saw 27 percent reporting growth in early December and that number has now risen to 32 percent.
Manufacturing companies have been leading the way regarding improving demand. We have seen those reporting increasing demand (either substantially or marginally) move from 38 percent in early December to 54 percent this past week.
John Packard
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