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    July Steel Exports Slow to 5-Month Low

    Written by Brett Linton


    US steel exports declined 7% from June to July, now at a five-month low of 742,000 net tons according to the latest US Commerce Department data. Just one month prior, we saw the third-highest monthly export rate seen in the past four years at 800,000 tons.

    On a 12-month moving average basis (12MMA), annual steel exports through July eased from the multi-year high seen in the previous month but remain strong. Total July exports are 2% lower than levels seen one year ago.

    Brett Linton

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    Plate supply squeeze tightens as demand presses higher

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