Steel Markets

Housing Starts Make Modest Gain in April
Written by Sandy Williams
May 17, 2016
Housing starts in April increased 6.6 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,172,000, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department. On a year over year basis housing start were down 1.7 percent.
Single-family housing starts in April were at a rate of 778,000, 3.3 percent above the revised March figure of 753,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 373,000.
Building permits for privately-owned housing units increased 3.6 percent to a SAAR of 1,116,000 from the revised March rate of 1,077,000, but is 5.3 percent below the April 2015 estimate of 1,178,000.
Single-family authorizations in April rose 1.5 percent to a rate of 736,000; authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 348,000.
All four regions posted permit increases in April. The Northeast, Midwest, South and West posted gains of 3 percent, 3.3 percent, 3.3 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.
“This month’s modest rise in housing production is consistent with builder sentiment, which has remained steady and in positive territory in recent months,” said NAHB Chairman Ed Brady.
“Though housing construction data is relatively flat for the beginning of 2016, we anticipate a ramping up of housing production during the rest of the year, given a strengthening job market, low mortgage interest rates and favorable demographics,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets

Still no cure for the summertime HR market blues
Seasonal steel slowdowns combined with ongoing anxieties about tariffs and mill strategies have dampened sentiment for several hot-rolled steel market participants this week. Buyers are jittery, market stands still The operator of a Midwest-based service center said that steel buyers are scared. “Everyone is afraid to buy steel right now. Unless you’re on a […]

SSAB Americas reports higher Q2 production and shipments
Despite improved operating results, SSAB Americas' second-quarter and H1’25 profits fell short of those of last year.

Global steel production slips in June
The total volume of raw steel produced around the globe fell by 5% from May to June, according to recent data published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
Market sentiment shows improvement: PMA Business Conditions Report
Metalforming manufacturers say they’re more confident that near-term economic conditions are improving

Galvanized steel prices and demand remain stagnant in July: HARDI
Galvanized steel prices ping-ponged in the $50/hundredweight range during the month of July, settling in at roughly the same position as in June.