Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
May 13, 2015
Short comments this evening as I am attending the Metals Industry Dinner (Boy Scout Dinner) in Chicago. The sentiment within the room was mostly optimistic, although there were a number of conversations about April not being a great month or not meeting expectations. This would help explain some of the weakness seen in the MSCI data which was reported earlier today.
There were a number of conversations about the upcoming negotiations between the USW and ArcelorMittal and US Steel. The thoughts were that AM would once again take a strict tone in negotiations.
The other issue being discussed was what were the chances for dumping suits to be filed. The opinions were running high that dumping suits would be filed soon – but, no one knows when “soon” will come. As Andre Marshall stated in his futures article this evening there has been a lot of “blah, blah, blah…” when it comes to the conversation about dumping suits. This conversation is well over a year old with no suits having been filed to date.
Congratulations to Lori Hahn of Steel Dynamics for receiving the Good Scout Award this evening for her work on the Boy Scout Dinner and raising money for scouting.
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: AMU brings the news
Usually, I write about steel in this column because, well, we’re Steel Market Update. But before I get to steel, I want to give a shoutout to my colleagues at Aluminum Market Update (AMU) – SMU’s new sister publication.
Final Thoughts
If I could change something, it’d be this: Political news would get more boring. And news about steel prices and steel demand would get a little more exciting.
Final Thoughts: Survey says edition
SMU’s latest survey results indicate that steel market participants think sheet prices are at or near a bottom. But most also think there is limited upside once they inflect higher.
Final Thoughts
A recent IIMA meeting in Brazil shows how the US and much of the rest of the world are operating in parallel realities.
Final Thoughts
We moved our pricing momentum indicators from “lower” to “neutral” for all sheet products this week. For those keeping score, we had been at “lower” for six weeks. And I know some of you think we should have been there for even longer.