• Skip to main content

    Analysis

    December 17, 2024

    HVAC equipment shipments healthy through October

    Written by Brett Linton

    Shipments of heating and cooling equipment were stable from September to October, according to the latest data released from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

    October shipments ticked up 1% month on month (m/m) to 1.91 million units (Figure 1, left). Recall that shipments recently reached two of the highest levels observed in the past two years in June and August, at 2.16 and 2.07 million units, respectively. October shipments are 20% higher than the same month last year (which was a three-and-a-half year low at the time).

    Brett Linton

    Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

    Read more from Brett Linton

    Latest in Analysis

    Leibowitz: US steel prices skyrocket above world prices. Which are right?

    Steel markets in the United States now feature supply shortages. Spot tons are well-nigh unavailable, and even contract tons are scarce. Based on the available statistics, the US market for flat-rolled products is seriously constrained. The US economy is still the strongest in the world, and manufacturing output remains vigorous. But the available supply is tight. The reason is fairly obvious. US domestic supply has increased a bit. Meanwhile, imports have fallen significantly.

    US scrap prices strengthen from initial October levels

    Earlier this week, several steelmakers entered the market with prices for shredded, plate and structural (P&S), and heavy melting steel (HMS) up $20 per gross ton (gt) from September. Prices on prime grades were initially missing but were then reported as up only $10. This occurred in select regions, mainly in the northern tier. As the week went on, expectations were that the rest of the market would follow suit. But this has not been the case.

    SMU scrap market survey results now available

    SMU’s October ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the Pricing and Analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for Ferrous Scrap Survey results. Past scrap survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results or if your company would like to have your voice heard in our future surveys

    US steel imports reach 15-month high in August, rise further in September

    Steel imports into the US crept higher in August and continued climbing in September, according to the Department of Commerce's latest import license data. August imports rose 3.4% from July to a 15-month high. September license data collected through Oct. 5 shows another 6.2% month-on-month increase. Imports continue to recover from some of the lowest levels since 2020, seen late last year through February this year.