Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
September 12, 2016
I spent a great deal of time on two projects: flat rolled pricing and steel mill maintenance schedules. I want to thank those companies who worked with me over the past few working days to be able to provide what I think is better data (both in pricing and in the schedules) than what has previously been available out in the market.
A note to our Premium level customers, we are reviewing and redoing much of the imports by port data we have on the website. If you have any questions about the data please contact Brett@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Our Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop in Memphis, TN is close to being sold out. The dates on the workshop are November 15-16 and will include a tour of the Big River Steel mill just as it is about to come online and begin producing its first hot rolled coils. Details are on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com or you can contact our office at 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com and we will do our best to respond to your questions.
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher

John Packard
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Final Thoughts
A short tour of key dates in the Nippon/USS deal, and what the future might hold.

Final Thoughts
I sort of expected big news last Friday and over the long, Memorial Day weekend. Because that's become more the norm than the exception for steel this year. Sure enough, Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday afternoon that he had given his blessing to a “partnership” between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. And then over the weekend we had market moving new on tariffs, this time involving the EU.

Final Thoughts
We're going to have to wait a bit longer for the final outcome of the Nippon/USS deal.

Final Thoughts
Sure, demand isn’t as good the market had hoped it would be earlier this year. But assuming it doesn’t fall of a cliff, buyers will have to restock at some point. And that might give domestic mills enough leverage to raise prices again.

Final Thoughts
While I would anticipate market sentiment to pivot and improve if all the questions around tariffs were answered, that still leaves us with a few other factors.