Prices
Weekly Raw Steel Production Continues Downward Slide
Written by Brett Linton
November 9, 2015
For the week ending November 7, 2015, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated the U.S. steel industry produced 1,618,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.4 percent decrease over the previous week and a 12.8 percent decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 67.7 percent, down from 68.6 percent last week and down from 77.2 percent this time last year.
The last time raw production and the capacity utilization rate was this low was the week ending April 4, 2015 when 1,600,000 tons were produced at a capacity utilization rate of 67.7 percent.
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2015 YTD is reported to be 76,125,000 tons, down 8.2 percent from the 82,942,000 tons produced during the same period in 2014. The average capacity utilization rate for 2015 YTD is estimated to be 72.1 percent, down from 77.8 percent for 2014 YTD.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: Northeast at 200,000 tons, up 9,000 tons. Great Lakes at 570,000 tons, down 40,000 tons. Midwest at 212,000 tons, down 3,000 tons. South at 544,000 tons, up 8,000 tons. West at 92,000 tons, up 3,000 tons. Total production was 1,618,000 tons, down 23,000 tons.
SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing the weekly raw steel production history. To use the graphs interactive capabilities, you must view it on our website. You can do this by clicking here. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by calling 800-432-3475.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Prices
SMU Survey: Mills less negotiable on spot prices
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are considerably less willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were in recent weeks.
Price gap between US HRC, most imports narrows slightly
In dollar-per-ton terms, US product is on average $141/st less than landed import prices (inclusive of the 50% tariff). That’s down from $148/st last week.
SMU price ranges: Sheet ticks higher, plate stable
Sheet steel indices increased across the board this week, while plate prices held steady. All five of SMU’s price indices are higher than they were two weeks ago, and all but one are above levels recorded four weeks ago.
Nucor lifts HR spot price by $10/ton
Nucor has raised its weekly spot list price on hot-rolled coil by $10 per short ton (st) after keeping it unchanged since Aug. 25.
Atlas Tube up $50/ton following NLMK USA sheet price hike
Atlas Tube, in a leading move, said it aims to increase prices for mechanical tubing, hollow structural sections (HSS), and piling products by at least $50 per short ton (st).