Market Data
May 30, 2025
Written by Kristen DiLandro
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has added metallurgical coal to the nation’s list of “Critical Materials”.
The move follows met coal’s designation as such in announcement by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on May 22. The details are spelled out in May 29 entry in the Federal Register.
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.
SMU’s Current and Future Scrap Sentiment Indices were stable and trending up in October, according to the latest data from our ferrous scrap survey. SMU’s Current Scrap Sentiment Index was unchanged at +88 this month after declining five points in September. The sideways result is still tied for the second-highest level year-to-date.
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) expanded in September, according to the most recent report from the Dodge Construction Network (DCN).
Sheet and plate prices continued to move higher on market dynamics that have carried headlines for much of the second half of the year: scarce spot tons, long lead times, production delays, lean inventories, and stable demand.
Domestic raw steel output declined last week, after seeing continued swings over the past several weeks, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.