Prices

Weekly Raw Steel Production - April 16, 2016
Written by Sandy Williams
April 19, 2016
For the week ending April 16, 2016, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated domestic raw steel production was 1,693,000 net tons, up 2.2 percent from the previous week total of 1,656,000 net tons and up 2.7 percent compared with 1,649,000 net tons in the week ending April 16, 2015. The capability utilization rate was 72.4 percent last week compared to a rate of 69.8 percent a year ago.
Adjusted year-to-date production through April 16, 2016 was 26,529,000 net tons, at a capability utilization rate of 70.5 percent. That is down 2.4 percent from the 27,194,000 net tons during the same period last year, when the capability utilization rate was 71.5 percent.
Broken down by districts, the production for the week ending April 16, 2016 was as follows: Northeast-206,000 tons; Great Lakes- 639,000 tons; Midwest-188,000 tons; Southern-571,000 tons; and Western-89,000 tons.
The Raw Steel production tonnage estimates in this report area compiled by AISI from weekly production tonnage provided from 50 percent of the domestic producers combined with monthly production data for the remainder. The report should be used primarily to assess production trends. Note that capacity utilization rates in 2016 are based on new lower total capabilities due to the removal of US Steel Fairfield from the mix.
The graph, normally provided by SMU’s Brett Linton, will return with next week’s report.
 
			    			
			    		Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest 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).
