Steel Markets

Case-Shiller Indicates Home Prices Slowed in June
Written by Sandy Williams
September 1, 2016
Home prices in June gained 5.1 percent year-over-year, according to the latest results of the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices. The National Home Price NSA index was unchanged from last month.
The 20-city composite gained 5.1 percent year-over-year, down from 5.3 percent in May. Portland, Seattle and Denver reported the highest annual gains.
On a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis, the National Index was up 0.2 percent, while the 10- and 20-city composites each decreased 0.1 percent.
“Home prices continued to rise across the country led by the west and the south,” says David M. Blitzer, Managing Director and Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “In the strongest region, the Pacific Northwest, prices are rising at more than 10%; in the slower Northeast, prices are climbing a bit faster than inflation. Nationally, home prices have risen at a consistent 4.8% annual pace over the last two years without showing any signs of slowing.
“Overall, residential real estate and housing is in good shape. Sales of existing homes are at running at about 5.5 million units annually with inventory levels under five months, indicating a fairly tight market. Sales of new single family homes were at a 654,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate in July, the highest rate since November 2007. Housing starts in July topped an annual rate of 1.2 million units. While the real estate sector and consumer spending are contributing to economic growth, business capital spending continues to show weakness.”

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets

Week in Review: Sept. 29 -Oct. 3
Let’s take a quick tour of some key stories from SMU in the week of Sept. 29 - Oct. 3.

Hot-rolled coil sources lament stagnant conditions
Participants in the hot-rolled sheet market expressed frustration with the continuing lack of demand this week.

Plate market sources critique mill hikes amid current market conditions
Following spot market plate price increase notices issued by domestic mills this past week, participants are contemplating the rationale behind the increases and whether they will stick. Some sources anticipate that current market conditions will shift in November and believe the increases may set a new "pricing floor."

ITC’s final ruling: Dumped, subsidized CORE imports are harming domestic market
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) finds that corrosion resistant steel (CORE) imports from 10 countries have caused material damage to domestic product producers, according to the ITC’s statement.

HR buyers report mixed market conditions
Hot-rolled coil market participants said they’re staying on their toes amid a market that continues to be characterized by uncertainty. A veteran Midwest-based service center operator contends that current conditions are unprecedentedly volatile. Being flexible with customers and strategic with mills is the only way to navigate through the uncertainty, he said. “No one wants […]