Steel Products Prices North America

Final June Steel Imports Down 10.5 Percent
Written by Brett Linton
August 7, 2014
Total steel imports dropped during the month of June from the 4.0 million plus tons received during the month of May to 3,611,305 net tons. However, June imports were well above the 12 month moving average (see table below) and were 46.8 percent higher than June of this past year.
The biggest drop was in semi-finished imports which dropped 212,528 net tons over May’s tonnage. However semi’s (most of which are slabs destined for domestic steel mills) were 387,956 net tons higher than one year ago (81.8 percent higher) than during June 2013. The biggest reason for the increase is the improvement in business at AM/NS Calvert (former ThyssenKrupp plant) which ArcelorMittal reported as being up 30 percent and running at an 83 percent utilization rate during the month of June.
We have done a number of analyses on the June import numbers in past Steel Market Update newsletters. Here is a quick snapshot of the key items which could impact the flat rolled steel markets.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America

Domestic plate prices could heat up despite so-so demand, market sources say
Some sources also speculated that plate could see further price increases thanks to modest but steady demand, lower imports, mill maintenance outages, and end markets less immediately affected by tariff-related disruptions.

SMU Price Ranges: HR holds, galv slips amid competing market narratives
SMU’s sheet and plate prices see-sawed this week as hot-rolled (HR) coil prices held their ground while prices for galvanized product slipped.

Nucor carries $875/ton HR list price into week seven
Nucor is keeping hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged again this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice issued on Monday, Oct. 6

SMU Price Ranges: A newsy week sees modest price gains despite a quiet spot market
Market participants predicted that prices should be at or near a bottom. But while most seemed to agree on that point, many also said they saw little upside given a quiet spot market and ongoing concerns about demand.

Nucor increases plate prices by $60/ton
Nucor aims to increase prices for steel plate by $60 per short ton with the opening of its November order book.