Category: Market Data

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reports that US steel shipments fell from March to April.

Domestic steel mill output remained historically strong last week, holding within earshot of a multi-year high.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) grew in May, up from a downwardly revised April reading. Gains were again driven by data centers, though healthcare, retail, and office grew vs. April.

A Mexican court has approved the joint auction of AHMSA and its MINOSA mining assets for $1.33 billion, paving the way for a single buyer to take control of both businesses.

US and Canadian drilling activity ticked higher this week, according to recently released data from Baker Hughes.

Global output will remain broadly flat this year, with further downgrades in Europe due to ongoing costs, regulatory, and competitive pressures, as well as a weaker economic outlook and rising inflationary pressures.

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

Steel market chatter this week: Buyers predict prices to continue rising from here, report steady to improving demand, and most see tariffs as unhelpful.

Manufacturing picked up in nine of the twelve Federal Reserve districts in May. It was one of the strongest sectors in the Fed’s June 3 Beige Book report.

SMU’s sheet price indices continued to climb this week, while plate held steady, all at multi-year highs.

Members of the United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 2093 went on strike at the Dauch Corp.'s (formerly named American Axle and Manufacturing) Three Rivers, Mich., facility on Monday. 

Domestic raw steel output remains within reach of a multi-year high, per AISI figures.

U.S. Steel (USS) has revised their galvanized and Galvalume coating extras higher effective Aug. 2, 2026.

The US and Canadian rig counts moved higher as oil and gas drilling picked up in the week ending May 29, according to the latest report from Baker Hughes.

There is increasing evidence that the current La Niña weather phenomenon is coming to an end, and that we are quickly moving into an El Niño cycle already in the next few months.

The Chicago Business Barometer increased in May after easing the two previous months.

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

Steel mill lead times remain at or near multi-year highs for all sheet and plate products.

This week we saw low negotiation rates across all products, with coated and plate products slightly more negotiable than hot rolled and cold rolled.

Market participants report frustration with extending lead times for domestically produced plate products.  

The May Business Conditions Report issued by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) found metalforming manufacturers anticipate stable market conditions for the next three months.  

AMU's May aluminum market survey showed lengthier rolled product lead times coupled with shrinking extrusion and primary booking windows, though inventory building and forward demand sentiment remained cautious.

Sheet and plate price indices increased between $5-20 per short ton (st) from last week.

US raw steel production slipped last week, falling from a multi-year high the previous week, according to the most recent American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.

US domestic steel prices continued to increase for most products as demand remained resilient amid tight supply. Domestic sheet and plate prices increased over the past month, while long products prices were mostly stable, with only structural and merchant bar prices edging up higher.

The total volume of raw steel produced around the world fell 4% in April following the one-year high seen in March, per World Steel Association figures.

This Premium analysis examines oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, crude oil stock levels, and fuel prices through May.

Domestic plate market participants named extended lead times, increased freight costs, escalating fuel surcharges, and spotty demand as their most recent challenges.  

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.

Galvanized steel buyers and distributors expect tightening supply and rising price pressure to last into summer.