Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production at 36 Week High
Written by Brett Linton
February 21, 2017
For the week ending February 18, 2017, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated the U.S. steel industry produced 1,766,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.6 percent increase over the previous week and a 3.3 percent increase over the revised rate from the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate for steel production is 74.6 percent, up from 73.4 percent last week and up from 73.1 percent this time last year.
The last time weekly raw steel production was this high was the week ending June 11, 2016 when production was 1,779,000 tons and the capacity utilization rate was 76.1 percent. The last time the weekly capacity utilization rate was this high was the week ending July 16, 2016 when production was 1,746,000 tons and the capacity utilization rate was 74.7 percent.
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2017 YTD is reported to be 12,066,000 tons, up 4.8 percent from the 11,512,000 tons produced during the same period in 2016. The average capacity utilization rate for 2017 YTD is estimated to be 72.7 percent, up from 70.8 for 2016 YTD.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: Northeast at 204,000 tons, down 8,000 tons. Great Lakes at 671,000 tons, up 9,000 tons. Midwest at 172,000 tons, up 6,000 tons. South at 645,000 tons, up 17,000 tons. West at 74,000 tons, up 4,000 tons. Total production was 1,766,000 tons, up 28,000 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 floor holds as market debates upside
Our average HR coil price increased $5/short ton from last week, marking a second consecutive week of modest gains. Market participants generally attributed the increase to...

Thin demand keeps plate prices hovering at lowest levels since February
Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.

SMU Price Ranges: HR crawls back to $800/ton
SMU’s HR price stands at $800/st on average, up $5/st from last week. The modest gain came as the low end of our range firmed, and despite the high end of our range declining slightly.

SMU successfully completes IOSCO review
SMU has successfully completed an external review of all our prices. The review has concluded that they algin with principles set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

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.