Steel Products Prices North America
Weekly Raw Steel Production: Capacity Utilization Rate at 5 Year Low
Written by Brett Linton
November 17, 2015
For the week ending November 14, 2015, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated the U.S. steel industry produced 1,601,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.1 percent decrease over the previous week and a 13.7 percent decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 67.0 percent, down from 67.7 percent last week and down from 77.2 percent this time last year.
The last time raw production 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. The last time the capacity utilization rate was this low was the week ending November 6, 2010 when 1,615,000 tons were produced at a capacity utilization rate of 66.8 percent.
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2015 YTD is reported to be 77,726,000 tons, down 8.3 percent from the 84,798,000 tons produced during the same period in 2014. The average capacity utilization rate for 2015 YTD is estimated to be 72.0 percent, down from 77.8 percent for 2014 YTD.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: Northeast at 195,000 tons, down 5,000 tons. Great Lakes at 581,000 tons, up 11,000 tons. Midwest at 214,000 tons, up 2,000 tons. South at 531,000 tons, down 13,000 tons. West at 80,000 tons, down 12,000 tons. Total production was 1,601,000 tons, down 17,000 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
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