Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
February 9, 2015
I have been speaking with a number of service centers involved in the secondary side of the steel industry. Although early in my investigation, I am learning that no one really knows how the huge drop in scrap prices will ultimately affect the secondary markets. Usually there is a relationship between secondary steel prices and scrap. I learned that as prime prices fall secondary prices usually move as well but not necessarily in equal amounts. We will dig some more to see what we can learn about secondary price movements in comparison to prime and scrap price changes.
We are taking reservations for our next Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop which will be held in the Chicago area and will include a tour of the NLMK mini mill in Portage, Indiana. You can find details about our program, instructors, cost and registration on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com in the Events section. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact our office: 800-432-3475 or, info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
In light of the large drop in flat rolled steel pricing, we are hearing from a number of our readers asking for more details regarding how to get “firm fixed” pricing over an extended period of time. Andre Marshall and I have discussed doing one of our Managing Price Risk II workshops with a special focus on the current market conditions. If you are interested in attending such a workshop please advise as we are looking at prospective dates and locations. The more interest we have the sooner we can justify putting on one of our programs. Please contact me at: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com if you are interested.
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
Tariff-related noise aside, there is one basic factor keeping buyers on the sidelines. Despite recent declines, HR prices remain at historically high levels. And there is no obvious support to keep them there.
Final Thoughts
United Airlines raised eyebrows earlier this month when it provided two forecasts for 2025 – one assuming a relatively stable economy and another assuming a recession. The reason? Uncertainty around the impact of President Trump’s policy shocks on the broader economy. And it sometimes feels like we’re seeing a battle between those two narratives (stable vs recession) play out within in the pages of this newsletter.
Final Thoughts
Despite some scary headlines lately (especially about Trump potentially firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell) this is not October 2008 (financial crisis) or March 2020 (onset of the pandemic). But it sure seems like we’ve taken a relatively strong economy and poured a thick sauce of uncertainty over it.
Final Thoughts
I put some of our survey data through ChatGpt, with interesting results.
Final Thoughts
Nearly 50% of respondents to our latest survey thought hot-rolled coil prices have already peaked. And where will those prices be two months from now? Responses were decidedly split on that question.