Prices

U.S. Raw Steel Production Up 1.5 Percent
Written by Tim Triplett
January 30, 2018
U.S. raw steel production for the week ending Jan. 27 totaled 1,719,000 net tons, a 1.0 percent decrease from the same period last year, but up 1.5 percent from the prior week. The mill capability utilization rate for the week averaged 73.8 percent, down from 72.6 percent the prior week, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute in Washington.
Adjusted year-to-date producton through Jan. 27 totaled 6,522,000 net tons at a capability utilization rate of 72.5 percent. That’s down 2.6 percent from the same period last year when the capability utilization was 74.5 percent.
Following is production by district for the week of Jan. 27: North East: 215,000 net tons; Great Lakes, 650,000 net tons; Midwest, 159,000 net tons; South, 629,000 net tons; and West, 66,000 net tons, for a total of 1,719,000.
The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage from 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 AISI monthly production report provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75 percent of U.S. production capacity. Note, the mill capability in fourth-quarter 2017 was about 30.6 million tons, compared to 30.7 million tons for the same period last year and 30.6 million tons for third-quarter 2017.
Below is a graph showing the history of weekly raw steel production. You will need to view the graph on our website to use its interactive features; you can do so by clicking here. If you need assistance logging into or navigating the website, please contact our office at 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Prices
SMU Survey: Mills less negotiable on spot prices
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are considerably less willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were in recent weeks.
Price gap between US HRC, most imports narrows slightly
In dollar-per-ton terms, US product is on average $141/st less than landed import prices (inclusive of the 50% tariff). That’s down from $148/st last week.
SMU price ranges: Sheet ticks higher, plate stable
Sheet steel indices increased across the board this week, while plate prices held steady. All five of SMU’s price indices are higher than they were two weeks ago, and all but one are above levels recorded four weeks ago.
Nucor lifts HR spot price by $10/ton
Nucor has raised its weekly spot list price on hot-rolled coil by $10 per short ton (st) after keeping it unchanged since Aug. 25.
Atlas Tube up $50/ton following NLMK USA sheet price hike
Atlas Tube, in a leading move, said it aims to increase prices for mechanical tubing, hollow structural sections (HSS), and piling products by at least $50 per short ton (st).
