Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production Falls to 16 Week Low
Written by Brett Linton
August 2, 2016
For the week ending July 30, 2016, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated the U.S. steel industry produced 1,681,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.3 percent decrease over the previous week and a 3.9 percent decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 71.9 percent, down from 72.8 percent last week and down from 73.2 percent this time last year.
The last time raw steel production was this low was the week ending April 9, 2016 when 1,656,000 tons were produced at a capacity utilization rate of 70.8 percent.
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2016 YTD is reported to be 52,584,000 tons, down 0.9 percent from the 53,074,000 tons produced during the same period in 2015. The average capacity utilization rate for 2016 YTD is estimated to be 72.5 percent, up from 72.3 percent for 2015 YTD.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: Northeast at 188,000 tons, down 1,000 tons. Great Lakes at 656,000 tons, down 7,000 tons. Midwest at 164,000 tons, up 3,000 tons. South at 600,000 tons, down 18,000 tons. West at 73,000 tons, up 1,000 tons. Total production was 1,681,000 tons, down 22,000 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
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet Rebounds – Sustainable Rally or Dead-Cat Bounce?
Sheet prices rose this week on the heels of a price increase announced by Cleveland-Cliffs last week that was quietly followed by other mills.

Plate Report: Mills Hold the Line Despite Slowing Demand
US plate prices have been relatively flat this year, especially when compared to sheet products. Case in point; SMU's plate prices stands at $1,455 per ton ($72.75 per cwt) on average, down 7% from a $1,560 per ton peak in April. Our HRC price is at $645 per ton, down 44% from an April peak of $1,160 per ton.

Nucor Maintains Plate Prices
Nucor Corp. will keep plate prices unchanged with the opening of its November order book.

Most Mills Still Willing To Negotiate Lower Sheet and Plate Prices: SMU Survey
The overall steel mill negotiation rate remained level this week vs. two weeks earlier, but plate’s rate fell by 15 percentage points, according to SMU’s most recent survey data.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet Declines Moderate – Meaning or Noise?
Hot-rolled coil prices were down again this week, continuing a streak of week-over-week (WoW) declines that began in early/mid-July.