Category: Analysis

All of SMU’s sheet price indices rose this week, climbing to new multi-month highs. At the same time, our plate index held steady.

A steelmaker in the Southeast has entered the market for shredded, P&S, and HMS at prices of $20/gt over November.

Economic activity across the US was largely static with some modest activity unfolding at a sluggish pace, according to the US Federal Reserve’s (The Fed) latest Beige Book report.

SMU’s Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index improved this week as Future Sentiment inched up as well, according to our most recent survey data.

The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product tightened further this week, as the average price for domestic hot-rolled was $10/st higher w/w.

US and Canadian rig counts both declined this week, according to the latest Baker Hughes data released on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

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

You might be looking forward to some Black Friday deals. But I wouldn't expect many, at least when it comes to flat-rolled steel.

Steel mill lead times extended this week on all sheet and plate products tracked, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

All five of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices increased this week for the second week in a row, with all products inching up to new multi-month highs. Prices are now up by $30-70/st compared to those seen four weeks ago.

Mills are less willing to talk price on spot orders on all the sheet products SMU tracks, but plate has veered the other way, according to our market survey this week.

The situation has altered in the Brazilian pig iron market since our last update on Nov. 13. At the time, we reported things were at a standstill for sales to US-based steelmakers.

US steel imports declined considerably in September and October, with trade falling to reduced levels not seen in nearly five years.

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche expressed frustration with US levies on steel and aluminum products. The US contends the EU is unfairly targeting its big tech firms.  

SSAB Americas aims to increase prices on all its products by at least $40 per short ton (st).

Toyota says its $912‑million investment in the US will boost production capacity for hybrids and introduce hybrid‑electric Corollas.

Recollections of better days in Ukraine.

Following four consecutive monthly declines, world crude steel output recovered 1% from September to October to an estimated 143.3 million metric tons (mt), according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel).

You may have heard about traders “canceling” metal on the London Metal Exchange and shipping it out. Here's a guide to understand that process.

The downward trend in Chinese steel export prices continued over the past month, as domestic demand in the country failed to recover following the Golden Week holidays.

In the month since my last column, the tides have started to turn – and as usual it wasn’t the physical market that moved first.

Most steelmaking raw material prices remained stable over the past month. Prices are mixed in comparison to this time last year.

Domestic plate market participants anticipate strong economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, which they say is the perfect reason for spot market price hikes now.  

Steel market chatter from our most recent survey.

SMU sits down with Barry Zekelman to talk North American trade and the state of the US and Canadian steel industries.

The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product shrank week over week (w/w).

The SMU Steel Demand Index slackened from late October, remaining below expansion territory, according to SMU's mid-November indicators.

The bulk scrap export market has experienced a great deal of action lately, but that has not resulted in runaway pricing.

Sheet prices are in the middle of one of their most sustained rallies since the first quarter, and this time in the absence of any tariff or trade policy shocks.

SMU’s price indices increased across the board this week, reaching new multi-month highs.