Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
May 6, 2019
I got a call earlier today asking about a steel publication changing the direction of some of their flat rolled pricing. I responded that I don’t read the other trade publications, and I don’t follow their indices. I do not want to be influenced as I go through the always difficult, and sometimes tedious, process of determining where I am seeing spot pricing on flat rolled and plate steels. We reported our price ranges at the beginning of tonight’s issue and we will continue to watch pricing on an almost continual basis, looking for signs of a change in direction or in the speed at which we are seeing prices move.
I will be in Chicago beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) and will return to the office on Friday afternoon. I will be attending the Metals Industry Boy Scout Dinner on Thursday evening at the Hyatt. If you would like to speak to me while I am in Chicago, shoot me an email: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com I believe I have some time available on Thursday morning and mid-afternoon prior to the dinner event.
I understand there are still tickets available for the Metals Industry Boy Scout Dinner on Thursday. For more information click here. Tell them Lori Hahn sent you….
Next week I will be in Davenport, Iowa, for our next Steel 101 workshop (still have a couple of seats available) and later in the week I will be in Minnesota.
The week after that I will be in Atlanta for three days as I am speaking at a manufacturing company function along with the CRU Chief North American Economist. If your organization is interested in having me or our group speak or put on an educational program, please contact me at John@SteelMarketUpdate.com
We published our “Flash” report to service center inventory data providers today. This information is only available to our data providers. If you are a service center and you would like to participate in our inventory analysis (on a strictly confidential basis), please contact me. We are covering flat rolled and plate products in the United States.
I want to welcome our newest member companies to Steel Market Update. Please be aware that I encourage questions, comments and suggestions. This is one way we improve our product, and many times we get leads on what subjects we should be covering from our readers. Welcome aboard.
If you would like to become a member or would like to renew or upgrade your existing membership, please contact Paige Mayhair at 724-720-1012 or Paige@SteelMarketUpdate.com
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, President & CEO

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
A recurring theme in conversations with some of you and in the comments submitted in our surveys is concerns about demand and uncertainty around tariffs. Where does SMU’s latest opinion polling on President Trump’s tariffs stand? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Final Thoughts
I’ve been getting some calls lately from some of you who want to kick around ideas on where prices might bottom and when.

Final Thoughts
Could an upcoming BRICS meeting spell trouble for President Trump's trade policy?

Final Thoughts
Another record-breaking SMU Steel Summit is in the books. Thanks to all of you – attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors – for making it possible it in what has been an uncertain year for steel.

Final Thoughts: Steel Summit 2025 has launched!
Steel Summit 2025 has just launched, and we're off to an amazing start.