Category: Analysis

Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events.

With US economic indicators all over the map, it’s no wonder the steel market has experienced a whole lot of analysis paralysis this year.  

Sheet prices were mixed this week as some mills continued to offer significant discounts to larger buyers while others have shifted toward being more disciplined, market participants said.

US steel imports declined for the second consecutive month in July, according to recently finalized US Commerce Department data.

Directors of Anglo American and Teck Resources have conditionally agreed to join together in what they describe as a merger of equals with a focus on copper. 

If the steel industry professionals who made it to the very final presentation of this year’s SMU Steel Summit were expecting another round of cautious forecasting, they were in for a surprise. Because what they got was a wake-up call.

SMU’s current Scrap sentiment index increased this month while future sentiment declined, according to our latest ferrous scrap survey data.

Shipments of iron ore across the Great Lakes dropped to 5 million short tons (st) in August, according to the latest data from the Lake Carriers’ Association. That’s down 9.1% compared to August 2024 and 2% lower than the month’s 5-year average. All told, the year-to-date (YTD) iron ore volumes through August totaled 26.7 million […]

SMU’s September ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

Nucor kept hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice on Sept. 8.    

A recurring theme in conversations with some of you and in the comments submitted in our surveys is concerns about demand and uncertainty around tariffs. Where does SMU’s latest opinion polling on President Trump’s tariffs stand? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on. 

Drilling activity increased in both the US and Canada last week, according to the latest oil and gas rig count data released by Baker Hughes.

Robert Kopf has been on U.S. Steel's acquiring side and is now part of the steelmaker's partnership with Japan’s Nippon Steel, and he sees bright days ahead for the steelmaker.

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices ticked higher this week, according to the latest data from our flat-rolled steel survey.

Cold-rolled (CR) coil prices ticked lower in the US this week, while prices in offshore markets diverged and ticked higher.

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

The Brazilian-US pig iron market has remained quiet, market sources told SMU.

he US longs market remained stable this month despite ongoing challenges from tariff-impacted imports, even as end-use demand was relatively unchanged and scrap prices held flat in August.

Let me begin by extending sincere congratulations to the EGA/Spectro Alloys team on achieving their first metal casting at the Rosemount (MN) secondary billet casthouse.

I’ve been getting some calls lately from some of you who want to kick around ideas on where prices might bottom and when.

Sheet and plate lead times held steady yet again this week, according to steel buyers responding to our latest market survey, a trend in place since May.

The majority of steel buyers responding to this week’s market survey continue to report that mills are open to negotiating spot prices on sheet and plate products.

Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices were flat this week for a third straight week. Offshore prices all moved higher w/w, widening the margin between stateside and foreign product.

The chief executives from Majestic Steel, Olympic Steel, and Worthington Steel swapped notes on inventory discipline, customer trust, and the race to turn AI from hype into results.

Private equity firm FalconPoint Partners has acquired SMS, an industrial service provider.

US manufacturing activity remained muted in August despite a marginal gain from July's recent low, according to supply executives contributing to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)’s latest report.

Could an upcoming BRICS meeting spell trouble for President Trump's trade policy?

SMU’s hot-rolled (HR) coil price held steady this week while prices for other sheet and plate products declined.

Kimberlie Henry of Ace Steel is the recipient of the 2025 SMU NexGen Leadership Award.