Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
May 14, 2014
SMU sources advised us on Wednesday that the steelmaking operations at U.S. Steel Great Lakes (Ecorse) in Michigan had begun. This afternoon, US Steel confirmed that the start-up process was underway with no further elaboration or comment. We anticipate that the mill will begin making prime steel within a few days to a week.
Our newest workshop – Managing Price Risk II: Strategies & Execution will be held in Chicago on June 24 & 25, 2014. More details can be found in the Events section of our website or just click on the link provided.
We will check on the ArcelorMittal C-5 blast furnace which went down late last week at Cleveland Works. We have been led to believe that the furnace will be back up sometime next week and that the company will not lose any orders due to the outage.
A note that I will be in New York City during the Steel Success Strategies conference. I will be attending the Platts conference on Monday and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch dinner that same evening. If you would like to meet with me during the conference please send me an email: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
I’m not sure how many different ways I can write that it’s been a quiet market ahead of Independence Day. There are variations on that theme. I’ve heard everything from the ominous “eerily quiet” to "getting better" and even the occasional “blissfully unaware” (because I’m enjoying my vacation).
Final Thoughts
What's going to be the next big thing in steel?
Final Thoughts
Based on the amount of ‘out of office’ replies we’ve been receiving and the results of this week’s steel buyers’ survey, those pesky summer doldrums have arrived for the steel industry.
Final Thoughts
Maybe some of this uncertainty will get ironed out ahead of Liberation Day tariffs resetting higher rates on July 9. But if I had to place a wager, it would be on more drama and last-minute brinksmanship - whether it comes to the Liberation Day tariffs or the various Section 232s that are in the works.
Final Thoughts
What should you keep your eye on, considering the latest geopolitical events?