Steel Products Prices North America
Final June Imports Down 15 Percent to 2.5 Million Tons
Written by Brett Linton
August 9, 2018
Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Commerce released Final Census Data for the month of June. We found foreign steel imports were at the lowest level seen since 2012 at just under 2.5 million net tons. Finished steel imports totaled 1,886,767 net tons with all but coated steels seeing reductions.
When looking at the import license data for July it appears there will be a significant jump in imports as the trend is for 3.1 million net tons. Basically, every single item we follow is showing an increase in tonnage over June levels, and close to the 12-month moving average. There is a large move in slabs (semifinished) at more than 800,000 net tons.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
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.
SMU Price Ranges: Tags mixed as uncertainty weighs on market
SMU’s hot-rolled (HR) coil price held steady this week while prices for other sheet and plate products declined.
Nucor spot HR list price unchanged at $875/ton
Nucor kept its weekly list price for hot-rolled (HR) coil unchanged this week, following a price bump of $10 per short ton (st) last week.
SMU price ranges: Flat-rolled balloon continues to leak
Sheet and plate prices were flat or lower again this week on continued concerns about demand and higher production rates among US mills.