Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
March 16, 2016
OK, so it’s March Madness and most of our readers want to watch their favorite team or test their skills at nailing their bracket and bragging rights around the water cooler in the morning. For the steel industry March Madness is taking a different meaning. More price increase announcements, full order books and a win (at least from my perspective) on the hot rolled dumping (AD) ruling on Tuesday.
We have a much longer than normal newsletter this evening. There are a couple of articles about the hot rolled ruling and what the status of each of the flat rolled suits stand at this time. It is important to note that the margins produced to date are not final. The margin rates will be used to determine the cash deposit necessary for each country (actually for the importer of record – that is the person responsible for paying any monies) who chooses to ship steel to the U.S. now that the preliminary margins (including countervailing duties and critical circumstances) have been determined.
When speaking with attorney Lewis Leibowitz both yesterday and today on the subject we thought it was important for companies to understand that all of the exclusion requests on hot rolled have been denied. The Department of Commerce has even denied exclusions requested for products that technically are not produced here in the United States!
A note to our Premium level members: We will have our survey power point presentation available online sometime on Friday afternoon. We will also publish a Premium supplemental issue of our newsletter in the morning. In that issue will be a much more detailed analysis of the MSCI data along with our Apparent Excess/Deficit forecast for March, April, May, June and July.
If you would like to learn more about what Premium membership includes, pricing and how to register please contact me at 800-432-3475 or by email: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
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
When will we see prime scrap become scarce as the worldwide transition to EAF melting increases, especially for HRC production? It's a question I've been asked a lot.

Final Thoughts: The hidden cost of analysis paralysis in the age of uncertainty
With US economic indicators all over the map, it’s no wonder the steel market has experienced a whole lot of analysis paralysis this year.

Final Thoughts
A recurring theme in conversations with some of you and in the comments submitted in our surveys is concerns about demand and uncertainty around tariffs. Where does SMU’s latest opinion polling on President Trump’s tariffs stand? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Final Thoughts
I’ve been getting some calls lately from some of you who want to kick around ideas on where prices might bottom and when.

Final Thoughts
Could an upcoming BRICS meeting spell trouble for President Trump's trade policy?