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    October Steel Imports Up 7%, 3MMA Slips to 18-Month Low

    Written by Brett Linton


    Preliminary Census data indicates that steel imports will have totaled 2.41 million net tons for the month of October. While up 7% from the prior month, October levels are on the low side compared to the previous 18 months. Recall that monthly import levels declined 11% month-on-month (MoM) in September, having also fallen 6% both months before that. October figures are down 22% compared to March’s 26-month high of 3.09 million tons.

    Broken down by product category, long product imports in October are preliminarily up 21% from the previous month. Semifinished product imports also rebounded 19% MoM. Imports of finished steel products rose 5% MoM, flat-rolled imports increased 3%, and stainless imports were up 1%. The only category to decrease MoM was pipe and tube, falling 2%.

    Brett Linton

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