Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
March 2, 2016
When speaking to one of my steel sources earlier today I was told, “Three months ago no one cared about the steel market. Now you have to pay attention.” They went on to reference our coverage and how others in the industry need to be reading what we are producing at Steel Market Update. Obviously, I echo those sentiments.
I was speaking to a financial analyst this afternoon and they were talking about how everyone in the industry had been negative just a few weeks ago. I reminder them that I was not. Our surveys have been clearly showing an optimistic trend and improving demand situation. I have not been pessimistic as the data we have been collecting wasn’t moving in that direction. Those of you who either participate in our surveys or are Premium level members are seeing the data. If you would like to know more about how to become a Premium level subscriber please contact us at: info@SteelMarketUpdate.com. We will publish our next power point presentation tomorrow afternoon for our Premium members.
A number of comments have been made recently about the quality of the 2015 Steel Summit Conference and wanting more information about the 2016 version which will be our 6th Steel Summit Conference. We are putting together the strongest and most diverse program we have ever attempted. We have a few speakers returning from last year: Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trends Research along with Timna Tanners (Bank of America Merrill Lynch Research) and John Anton (IHS Global) who will continue their forecasting/debate about steel and commodity prices. We have two steel mills CEO’s who will be joining us for their 1st SMU conference: Mark Millett of Steel Dynamics and Roger Newport of AK Steel. Speaking of commodities, we have another well known and not afraid to say what’s on his mind CEO: Lourenco Goncalves, CEO of Cliffs Natural Resources and former CEO of Metals USA and before that California Steel. We have Chris Oakley, Vice President and Regional Executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Also, Lawrence Kavanagh, President, Steel Market Development Institute and Mark Bula, Chief Commercial Officer for Big River Steel. They are not alone. You can find more details (and register) on our website.
Tell your friends and save the dates: August 29-31, 2016 at the Georgia International Convention Center, Atlanta, Georgia right next to the Atlanta International Airport. Our Steel Summit Conference is Quick, Reasonable, Convenient and well attended by real steel people…
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
Sure, demand isn’t as good the market had hoped it would be earlier this year. But assuming it doesn’t fall of a cliff, buyers will have to restock at some point. And that might give domestic mills enough leverage to raise prices again.
Final Thoughts
While I would anticipate market sentiment to pivot and improve if all the questions around tariffs were answered, that still leaves us with a few other factors.
Final Thoughts
Let's see what SMU survey respondents are saying about Trump's tariffs.
Final Thoughts
The Tariff Town amusement park ride shows no signs of slowing down.
Final Thoughts
Cliffs came tantalizing close to buying U.S. Steel in 2023. There were rumors in 2024 that Cliffs might buy NLMK USA before it ultimately purchased Stelco for $2.5 billion in November of last year. Who would have thought that asset sales would have been the focal point of discussion just six months later?