Steel Markets

September New Home Sales Up 3.1% After Downward Revisions
Written by Sandy Williams
October 26, 2016
New home sales rose 3.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000 in September, according to data from U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Compared to a year ago, sales of single-family houses increased 29.8 percent. The increase follows downward revisions to June, July and August.
The median sales price was $313,500 in September and the average sales price was $377,000, up 1.9 percent and 2.7 percent from September 2015, respectively.
At the end of September an estimated 235,000 houses were for sale, representing a supply of 4.8 months at the current sales rate.
Regionally, September sales were strongest in the South at 338,000 and West at 147,000. Estimated sales in the Midwest totaled 76,000 and in the Northeast 32,000. On a year-over-year basis all four regions made gains, ranging from 25.7 percent in the South to 60.0 percent in the Northeast.
IHS Global Insight economist Kristin Reynolds wrote, “Sales of new homes rose in September, but only after sizeable downward revisions to prior months, highlighting the volatility of the data. The increase is not statistically significant, but growth compared to a year earlier is positive. The third quarter was on-track to grow faster than the second quarter, but now growth will still be solid, but not accelerate from the prior quarter.” IHS expects new home sales to progress moderately through the end of 2016.

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 […]