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    April 30, 2026

    Chicago Business Barometer reports slowing growth in April

    Written by Kristen DiLandro

    The Chicago Business Barometer eased for a second consecutive month in April. The 3.6-point slip to 49.2 for the month represents a fall back into contractionary territory, according to the latest report from Market News International (MNI) and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). 

    Factors driving the overall monthly decline were order backlogs (contracted 11.4 points), new orders (down 6.5 points), supplier deliveries (down 3.7 points), and production (decreased by 1.3 points). Prices paid climbed to the highest level since June 2025, gaining 5.4 points. The key rivers for increased prices cited by respondents were oil, metals, and transportation fuel surcharges. A 7.9-point gain in employment factors tempered the declines.

    Kristen DiLandro

    Kristen DiLandro is a reporter for Steel Market Update. Kristen focuses on the micro and macro steel market conditions informing North American spot prices. Following her agency career in advertising, she attained an MFA in Writing from Savannah College of Art and Design. Kristen can be reached at kristen@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-221-8143.

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    Nucor increases spot HR to $1,240/ton

    Nucor said on Monday, Oct. 12, that its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil will be $1,240 per short ton (st) this week, a $10/st increase from a week earlier. The CSP for HR coil from California Steel Industries (CSI) on the West Coast will be $1,305/st, up $15/st from the prior week. Nucor is still offering lead times of three to five weeks, according to the letter to customers. You can track mill price announcements on our website. Steel Market Update (SMU) published a weekly price assessment on Tuesday, Oct. 6, showing HR coil prices averaging $1,270/st, up $10/st from the previous week. We will update our prices on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 13.