Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production Remains Below 1.7 Million Ton Level
Written by Brett Linton
March 8, 2016
For the week ending March 5, 2016, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated the U.S. steel industry produced 1,673,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.1 percent decrease over the previous week but a 2.6 percent increase over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 71.5 percent, down from 72.4 percent last week but up from 68.9 percent this time last year (note that the capacity utilization rates in 2016 are based on new lower total capabilities with the removal of US Steel Fairfield from the mix.)
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2016 YTD is reported to be 16,465,000 tons, down 5.8 percent from the 17,475,000 tons produced during the same period in 2015. The average capacity utilization rate for 2016 YTD is estimated to be 69.7 percent, down from 72.8 percent for 2015 YTD.
Note that the AISI estimates capability for Q1 2016 to be 30.5 million tons versus 30.4 million tons for the same period last year and 31.4 million tons for the Q4 2015.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: Northeast at 199,000 tons, down 3,000 tons. Great Lakes at 631,000 tons, down 7,000 tons. Midwest at 183,000 tons, down 6,000 tons. South at 576,000 tons, down 5,000 tons. West at 84,000 tons, up 2,000 tons. Total production was 1,673,000 tons, down 19,000 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 Steel Products Prices North America

Thin demand keeps plate prices hovering at lowest levels since February
Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.

SMU Price Ranges: HR crawls back to $800/ton
SMU’s HR price stands at $800/st on average, up $5/st from last week. The modest gain came as the low end of our range firmed, and despite the high end of our range declining slightly.

SMU successfully completes IOSCO review
SMU has successfully completed an external review of all our prices. The review has concluded that they algin with principles set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

Domestic plate prices could heat up despite so-so demand, market sources say
Some sources also speculated that plate could see further price increases thanks to modest but steady demand, lower imports, mill maintenance outages, and end markets less immediately affected by tariff-related disruptions.

SMU Price Ranges: HR holds, galv slips amid competing market narratives
SMU’s sheet and plate prices see-sawed this week as hot-rolled (HR) coil prices held their ground while prices for galvanized product slipped.