Market Data

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 Market Data
 
		                                SMU Mill Order Index fell in September
SMU’s Mill Order Index declined in September after repeated gains from June through August. The shift came as service center shipping rates and inventories fell.
 
		                                North American auto assemblies slipped in September
North American auto assemblies declined in September, down 5.1% vs. August. And assemblies were also down 1% year on year.
 
		                                HARDI: Galv demand improves in October, higher prices expected in new year
Participants on this month’s Heating Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) Sheet Metal/Air Handling Council call expect galvanized steel base prices to firm up in the first quarter of 2026.
 
		                                AISI: Raw steel mill output stabilizes
Domestic mill production inched higher last week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Prior to the start of this month, raw output had remained historically strong since June.
 
		                                Steel market chatter this week
What's on steel buyers' minds this week? We asked about market prices, demand, inventories, tariffs, imports, and other evolving market trends. Read on for buyers' comments in their own words...

