Category: Analysis

It's that time of year, when we look back at where we've been and forward to what the new year might bring. So, before we look forward to 2026, let’s take a quick look back at 2025.

Editor’s note This is an opinion column. The views in this article are those of an experienced trade attorney on issues of relevance to the steel market. They do not necessarily reflect those of SMU. We welcome you to share your thoughts as well at smu@crugroup.com. As we close out 2025, my best wishes to all […]

AISI's Kevin Dempsey looks back at 2025.

The price of pig iron looks to strengthen as producing nations cite rising ferrous scrap values.

We will examine the wisdom of hedging from the perspective of both the LME and Midwest premium, and whether you are approaching the market as a buyer or a seller.

An SMU Community Chat with Timna Tanners.

SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) declined in November after surging the month prior. The fall came as service center intake levels sharply declined, supported by a cut in shipments, according to our latest service center inventories data.

US Midwest sheet prices continued to rise alongside continued mill prices increases as lead times remained extended.

Rocky Mountain Steel Mills has begun hot commissioning a universal rail mill at its mini-mill in Pueblo, Colo.

A look at possible scenarios that could be announced during SMU's Tampa Steel Conference.

The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product continues to narrow, inching closer toward parity. The premium is now, on average, at its lowest level since July.

Growth remains uneven, and capital continues to concentrate. But compared to the rest of the world (RoW), the US continues to have the most stable path forward.

Most buyers expect prices to rise slightly in the short term or remain flat. But many qualify this view as transitory or dependent on demand improvements. 

Apparent steel supply rose to 8.64 million short tons in September, driven primarily by higher domestic mill shipments despite a sharp drop in finished imports.

Sheet prices mostly ticked higher again this week. And the reasons shouldn’t come as a big surprise to anyone who has been reading SMU lately.

In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels through December

Following last week’s pause, SMU’s price indices were overall steady to higher this week, holding at or near multi-month highs.

US shipments of heating and cooling equipment fell 11% in October from September to the lowest monthly rate of the year, and an eight-year low, according to AHRI.

There are few firm predictions about the January scrap market in North America at mid-month except to say it will be stronger. The question is by how much?

Following August’s modest 4% uptick, the volume of steel shipped outside of the country slipped 8% in September to 594,000 short tons, according to recently released data from the US Department of Commerce.

Register for Steel 101, space is limited. Don’t miss it! Did you know one of Hollywood’s favorite set locations is also the site of SMU’s next Steel 101 workshop? The workshop is an excellent way to build a solid foundation of steel knowledge or sharpen your existing understanding.  Join us on location at the Nucor CSI facility in Ontario, California, on Jan. 13-14, 2026.  Attendees […]

Flat rolled = 50.6 shipping days of supply Plate = 52.8 shipping days of supply Flat rolled US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined for the fourth straight month, reaching 50.6 shipping days of supply on an adjusted basis at the end of November, according to SMU data. Flat roll supply is at its lowest […]

Canadian steelmaker Algoma's plans to bring forward the scheduled full transition to electric-arc furnace (EAF) steel production by one year merits a revisit. Why? Because of its potential impact on ferrous scrap flows between the US and Canada.

In our opinion, it is striking that for all the bold talk about establishing a "common external tariff" — or "Fortress North America" — the solutions being proposed fail to live up to their promises. As we have commented recently, USMCA certainly needs a rethink. But we have serious concerns about Canadian and Mexican proposals that suggest common trade policies that are, as we see it, more illusory than effective.

According to recently finalized US Commerce Department data, US steel imports tumbled to a near five-year low in September

US plate market participants hope the new year will bring favorable market conditions. But they remain leery of making big purchases because of lingering uncertainty.

The latest SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices showed mixed results.

A cluster of Airbus announcements reveals how quickly the OEM is tightening and rebalancing its US supply chain.

US longs prices diverged in early December, with rebar and structurals prices rising on data center demand while wire rod remained flat, as domestic mills balanced the market. Import volumes, in November, declined sharply across all longs.

SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.