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    CRU: U.S. Zinc Demand Starts 2021 on a More Solid Footing

    Written by Helen O’Cleary


    By CRU Analyst Helen O’Cleary, from CRU’s Zinc Monitor January 2021

    After a turbulent start to 2021 for U.S. politics, President Biden begins his term with the unenviable task of bringing the Covid-19 outbreak under control and supporting the nascent U.S. economic recovery. He plans to start with a $1.9 trillion Covid relief plan and will then seek approval for a second spending initiative, including the Build Back Better infrastructure bill. Biden has reportedly confirmed that he will not immediately remove tariffs imposed by Trump on steel imports in 2018, which should mean that the U.S. steel industry can continue to benefit from current high prices on the back of capacity cutbacks last year and restocking in recent months as the auto sector has started to recover.

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    CRU: HR coil futures re-price 2027 forward curve

    CME Group’s hot-rolled coil futures have jumped higher as the loss of a reheating line at a large Southern mill have renewed domestic production issues. At market close on Oct. 12, the Q4'26 futures are now pricing in $1,295 per short ton (st) for HR coil, a month-over-month (m/m) increase of $63/st. For 2027, the forward curve is up $80 /st vs. September, at $1,207/st. For November 2026 through March 2027, prices are at an average just above $1,300/st.