Category: Analysis

The threat of tariffs over the past two months has been a springboard for US prices. But the Section 232 reinstatement on March 13 narrowed the domestic premium over imports on a landed basis.

This week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, including market prices, demand, tariff policies, inventories, imports, and emerging market events.

After a March frenzy, are prices nearing a peak in April? Some of you have suggested that they are. Others think it's too early to make any such call.

SMU's steel price indices moved in differing directions this week but remained largely stable as cautious buyers await clarity on pending steel tariffs and trade cases.

After eight weeks of double-digit price increases on hot-rolled (HR) coil, Nucor slowed the price rise this week with an increase of $5 per short ton.

Have we hit a bit of a lull when it comes to the recent price bump? Mills certainly capitalized on the threat of tariffs and the unknown, with much that still could unfold.

Despite the economic and geopolitical upheaval of the last five years, CMC President and CEO Peter Matt points out that the construction market has been an essential element of the way forward.

SMU’s Buyers’ Sentiment Indices showed mixed movements this week but remain strong, reflecting continued confidence among steel buyers.

These developments come at a time when the global trading system has been shaken up by US President Donald Trump’s greater use of tariffs, including employing Section 232 legislation to impose a 25% levy on steel from all countries to protect national security.

Are President Trump's tariff policies helping? Steel buyers offer their opinions on the impact of Trump's tariffs.

The aluminum market is facing a wave of uncertainty following the latest Section 232 tariffs, leaving many in the industry asking the same key questions – from why the Midwest Premium isn’t reacting as expected to how these tariffs will impact Canada, value-added products, and scrap flows – there’s plenty to unpack. We’ve put together […]

From the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 to George W. Bush's temporary 30% tariff, SMU takes a look at steel tariffs past.

After a multi-week increase, buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that lead times are stabilizing or marginally declining for each of the sheet and plate products we track.

The majority of the steel buyers responding to our latest market survey continue to report that domestic mills remain firm on pricing, showing little willingness to talk price on new spot orders this week.

In this Premium analysis we explore North American oil and natural gas prices, drilling activity, and crude oil stock levels.

Do recent actions by the EPA on deregulation signal a new course for the agency, and how could it affect steel?

Steel prices were stable to higher this week for the second consecutive week across the sheet and plate products tracked by SMU. Three of our price indices increased from the previous week, while two held firm.

The HRC vs. prime scrap spread increased again in March.

Raw steel mill production remains at one of the higher rates recorded so far this year.

Prices for five of the seven steelmaking raw materials tracked by SMU increased from February to March, according to our latest analysis.

This marks the eighth week of increases

Is a fissure opening up between manufacturers and the mills on President Trump's tariffs?

US rig counts continue to hover slightly above multi-year lows, while Canadian activity is entering a seasonal decline after recently reaching a seven-year high.

A quick way to catch up on what you might have missed.

Following December’s 11-month low, total heating and cooling equipment shipments rebounded 8% in January, according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

While overall steel demand remains weak in the near term, there are reasons to expect metallurgical coal prices will increase over the course of the year, Ramaco says.

Let's take a look at different tariff scenarios.

President Trump’s tariffs are aimed in large part at bringing manufacturing back to the United States. In theory, it’s simple enough: Want to avoid a big tariff? Make it in the US!

“The next months are going to be good ones for pig iron producers," according to one source.

The volume of finished steel entering the US market in January climbed to the highest level recorded in two and a half years.