Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production Flat at 1.73 Million Tons
Written by Brett Linton
May 17, 2016
For the week ending May 14, 2016, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated the U.S. steel industry produced 1,727,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.2 percent decrease over the previous week, but a 1.3 percent increase over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 73.9 percent, down from 74.7 percent last week, but up from 72.1 percent this time last year.
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2016 YTD is reported to be 33,484,000 tons, down 1.2 percent from the 33,900,000 tons produced during the same period in 2015. The average capacity utilization rate for 2016 YTD is estimated to be 71.6 percent, unchanged from 71.6 percent for 2015 YTD.
Note that the AISI estimates capability for Q2 2016 to be 30.4 million tons versus 30.7 million tons for the same period last year and 30.4 million tons for the Q1 2016.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: Northeast at 198,000 tons, up 2,000 tons. Great Lakes at 613,000 tons, down 26,000 tons. Midwest at 176,000 tons, down 6,000 tons. South at 648,000 tons, up 8,000 tons. West at 92,000 tons, up 1,000 tons. Total production was 1,727,000 tons, down 21,000 tons.
About Weekly Raw Steel Production Data
The weekly raw steel production tonnage provided by the AISI is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage provided by 50 percent of the domestic producers combined with monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The monthly AISI production report provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing over 75 percent of U.S. production capacity.
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

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.

Nucor carries $875/ton HR list price into week seven
Nucor is keeping hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged again this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice issued on Monday, Oct. 6

SMU Price Ranges: A newsy week sees modest price gains despite a quiet spot market
Market participants predicted that prices should be at or near a bottom. But while most seemed to agree on that point, many also said they saw little upside given a quiet spot market and ongoing concerns about demand.

Nucor increases plate prices by $60/ton
Nucor aims to increase prices for steel plate by $60 per short ton with the opening of its November order book.