Steel Products Prices North America
November Import License Requests Reach 3.9 Million Tons
Written by John Packard
December 2, 2014
The U.S. Department of Commerce released license data through today, December 2, 2015. Based on the latest data, there were 3,938,330 net tons of steel import license requests for the month of November. This does not mean that the U.S. actually received 3.9 million tons of steel imports during the month of November, but it does give us an indication as to the amount of steel coming. However, based on our experience with the months of July, August, September and October, the license number from the first week of the following month is within +/- 100,000 net tons. So, we believe when the Census data starts coming in later this month that November imports will be somewhere around 3.8 to 4.0 million net tons.
Compared to November 2013 when the U.S. received approximately 2.6 million net tons of total steel imports, this year will be up by approximately 52 percent if we achieve the 3.9 million ton level.
If you are curious and want to look at the November 2013 data and compare it against what we are producing below you can do so by logging into the website and looking under the Analysis tab – Imports/Exports and then Imports History. If you need help finding it – please let us know by email at: info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet floor holds as market debates upside
Our average HR coil price increased $5/short ton from last week, marking a second consecutive week of modest gains. Market participants generally attributed the increase to...
Thin demand keeps plate prices hovering at lowest levels since February
Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.
SMU Price Ranges: HR crawls back to $800/ton
SMU’s HR price stands at $800/st on average, up $5/st from last week. The modest gain came as the low end of our range firmed, and despite the high end of our range declining slightly.
SMU successfully completes IOSCO review
SMU has successfully completed an external review of all our prices. The review has concluded that they algin with principles set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
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.