Steel Products Prices North America
Monthly Raw Steel Production: Small Dip in April After March's Peak
Written by Brett Linton
June 5, 2017
The American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) recently reported final U.S. raw steel production estimates for the month of April 2017. The monthly estimates are different than the weekly estimates we report; the monthly estimates are based on over 75 percent of the domestic mills reporting vs. only 50 percent for the weekly estimates.
Total raw steel production for the month of April was reported to be 7,375,169 net tons with 5,004,948 tons being produced by electric arc furnaces (EAF) and 2,370,221 tons produced by blast furnaces. April raw steel production was reported to be 224,184 tons or 3.0 percent lower than the previous month, but 98,608 tons or 1.4 percent higher than the same month last year. As seen in the table below, 7 of the 11 state-groups reported a decrease in month-over-month production.
Compared to the first four months of 2016, 2017 year-to-date (YTD) production is up 2.8 percent to 29,743,710 tons. The table below shows that 8 of the 11 state-groups reported increased YTD production compared to the same period last year.
The capacity utilization rate for the month of April 2017 was reported to be 73.6 percent, unchanged from March and up from 72.6 percent one year ago. The yearly capacity utilization rate is remains at 74.6 percent and is up from 71.6 percent in April 2016.
SMU Note: An interactive graphic of our raw steel production history can be seen in the Analysis section of our website here. Two condensed examples can be found below. If you need help logging into the website or navigating through it, please contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
HRC-galvanized price gap edges higher
The premium galvanized coil carries over hot-rolled coil (HRC) coil has marginally widened in recent months. As of Sept. 16, the spread between these two products reached a three-month high of $175 per short ton (st), though it is still low by historical standards.
SMU Price Ranges: HR slips, hopes for Q4 rebound still standing
SMU’s price ranges were mixed again this week as the market continues to seek a floor amid industry hopes for a Q4 rebound.
Nucor’s hot band list price holds at $875/ton
Nucor held its hot-rolled coil list price flat again this week, according to its Monday, Sept. 15 consumer spot price (CSP) notice.
Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.
SMU Price Ranges: Some predict bottom is near as big discounts dry up
Sheet prices were mixed this week as some mills continued to offer significant discounts to larger buyers while others have shifted toward being more disciplined, market participants said.