Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
April 28, 2014
My final thoughts will be relatively short and sweet this evening. I have begun to follow Chris Kuehl (pronounced keel) of Armada Corporate Intelligence. I first saw Chris speak at the FMA Toll Processing Conference in Austin, Texas and I was impressed. I suggest to my readers that they consider registering for a free trial of their briefing. It’s short and a pretty easy read and more importantly – interesting.
For those of you who will be attending the Metals Industry Boy Scout Dinner I will be there as well. I will be in the hotel on Wednesday afternoon and all day on Thursday. If you arrive early and would like to meet send me either an email: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com or give me a call on my cell phone: 770-596-6268.
I said I would make this short and sweet this evening so…
As always thank you for your business which is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.

John Packard
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Final Thoughts
Cliffs came tantalizing close to buying U.S. Steel in 2023. There were rumors in 2024 that Cliffs might buy NLMK USA before it ultimately purchased Stelco for $2.5 billion in November of last year. Who would have thought that asset sales would have been the focal point of discussion just six months later?

Final Thoughts
Given the news about tariffs and bringing back industries to the US, a brief look back in time may show how our economy changes with technological advances and the shifting economies of scale.

Final Thoughts
We’ve talked about tariffs ad nauseam for much of the year. And I’m afraid this topic isn’t going away anytime soon. There’s a feeling that the tariff “can” will just be kicked down the road again and again, and again.

Final Thoughts
Can technology help with pig iron and DRI/HBI tariffs?

Final Thoughts
Tariff-related noise aside, there is one basic factor keeping buyers on the sidelines. Despite recent declines, HR prices remain at historically high levels. And there is no obvious support to keep them there.