Steel Products Prices North America
April Imports Forecast to Exceed 3.5 Million Tons
Written by John Packard
April 15, 2014
The U.S. Department of Commerce released license data through Tuesday, April 15th for imported steel scheduled to arrive into the United States during the month of April. Based on this early license data (knowing it can be misleading) we are projecting total steel imports will exceed the 3.5 million net tons forecast for March. Our forecast for April is currently calling for imports to reach 3.8 million tons.
The areas which are currently suggesting increasing imports are: OCTG (oil country tubular goods), hot rolled and cold rolled. Galvalume imports are also forecast to be quite high from a recent historical perspective.
Below are the various forecasts Steel Market Update made for the month of March based on license data. The next step will be for the release of Preliminary Census data which will provide a more accurate number for the month of March.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
SMU Price Ranges: HR slips, hopes for Q4 rebound still standing
SMU’s price ranges were mixed again this week as the market continues to seek a floor amid industry hopes for a Q4 rebound.
Nucor’s hot band list price holds at $875/ton
Nucor held its hot-rolled coil list price flat again this week, according to its Monday, Sept. 15 consumer spot price (CSP) notice.
Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.
SMU Price Ranges: Some predict bottom is near as big discounts dry up
Sheet prices were mixed this week as some mills continued to offer significant discounts to larger buyers while others have shifted toward being more disciplined, market participants said.
SMU Price Ranges: Tags mixed as uncertainty weighs on market
SMU’s hot-rolled (HR) coil price held steady this week while prices for other sheet and plate products declined.