SMU Data and Models

Excess Inventories a Concern for Early 2015
Written by John Packard
December 18, 2014
Steel Market Update conducted our last flat rolled steel market survey earlier today (Thursday, December 18th). During the survey process we asked some new questions in an effort to see what will be the new trending issues once we move into calendar year 2015.
One of the questions posed to those who participated in our steel survey was, “Will you end the year with more steel than you think is healthy based on current market conditions?”
We found the majority of our respondents (59 percent) believed inventories would be “well balanced” as they moved into the New Year.
What concerns SMU are the 37 percent who responded that their company would be entering 2015 with more steel than they would like.
Only 4 percent reported that they will have less steel than they would like to have as they go into the New Year.

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in SMU Data and Models

August service center shipments and inventories report
US service centers flat-rolled steel supply in August declined month-over-month (m/m) and year-over-year (y/y), according to SMU data.

Apparent steel supply remains elevated in July
Apparent supply totaled 8.88 million short tons (st) in July, down 38,000 st from June and 6% higher than the same month last year

HRC vs. prime scrap spread narrows slightly
The price spread between prime scrap and hot-rolled coil (HRC) narrowed by a hair this month, according to SMU’s most recent pricing data.

SMU Scrap Survey: Current Sentiment rises as Future Sentiment falls
SMU’s current Scrap sentiment index increased this month while future sentiment declined, according to our latest ferrous scrap survey data.

SMU scrap market survey results now available
SMU’s September ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.