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    CRU Aluminum: Reframing the Demand Picture

    Written by Matthew Abrams


    Economic conditions are still iffy at best. Housing data continues to suffer with new home sales plunging and inventory reaching the highest it has been since 2009. The Richmond and Kansas City Fed manufacturing indexes both plunged in July as well. The Richmond Fed’s manufacturing skill availability index, which indicates the demand for skilled labor in relation to supply, has risen to 0, or neutral, which signals a switch from expansion to contraction. However, not all is negative as CPI projections have built off last month’s report and are expected to continue to fall, albeit slowly. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index reported a surprise jump and, despite the struggles in housing, prices have steadied after the sharp drop seen last month. Durable goods orders have also remained steady month-on-month.

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    Sheet and plate price gains accelerate as 2026 tons dry up

    Sheet and plate prices continue to push higher as mills charge a premium for what little spot tonnage remains for 2026, market participants said. SMU’s price assessment for hot-rolled (HR) coil now stands at $1,290 per short ton (st) on average, up $10/st week over week. HR price gains averaged $5/st w/w throughout July and August, with no changes in prices some weeks and gains of at most $15/st w/w. In September and October to date, in contrast, prices have increased every week—with the average gain at $11.25/st w/w and w/w gains as high as $20/st. Prices for cold-rolled and coated products continued to increase as well. SMU's price assessment for cold-rolled (CR) coil clocked in at...