US apparent steel supply recovers in December but remains low
December supply increased 7% from November to the third-lowest monthly rate of the year.
Category: Market Data
CRU: Tin hits a record high
Entering 2026, tin has led a frenzied base metal rally during a historic phase for commodities. Frothy market conditions, driven by volatile investor positioning and shifting macro risk sentiment, pushed several metals—including tin—to record highs in January, before a sharp correction in February.
Steel market chatter 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.
Doderer on economy: A narrow reacceleration and the offramp not taken
Over the last month, incoming macro data was encouraging but did not signal a wholesale change in trajectory from uneven expansion within industrials.
Steel exports tumble further in December, lowest since 2020
Trade for many of the sheet and plate products we follow has fallen to multi-year lows through December.
Global steel output recovers to 6-month high in January
The total amount of raw steel produced around the world recovered 5.5% from December to an estimated 147.3 million metric tons in January, according worldsteel.
Megaprojects dominate January construction starts, core sectors slide
Total construction starts edged up 0.7% in January to an annualized rate of $1.24 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network.
Steel imports historically weak through December and January
Steel imports slowed further in December and January to some of the lowest volumes recorded in recent years.
SMU Steel Demand Index dips, remains in expansion
SMU’s Steel Demand Index slipped from earlier in the month, but remains above expansion territory, according to late-February indicators.
AISI: Raw steel production climbs to four-year high
The amount of raw steel produced by US mills rose to the highest level recorded in over four years, according to AISI's latest figures.
N. American auto assemblies improved in January
North American auto assemblies recovered in January, up nearly 12% vs. December, though down more than 2% year on year (y/y), according to GlobalData.
Rig count unchanged in US, up in Canada
The latest Baker Hughes rig count report shows steady drilling for oil and gas in the US, while drilling in Canada improved slightly.
SMU Survey: Buyers' sentiment remains upbeat
SMU's Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices continue to show that steel buyers are optimistic for their businesses’ chances of success.
SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
SMU Mill Order Index climbs further in January
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) rose again in January, maintaining momentum from the month prior. The increase came as service center intake levels ticked up, supported by a jump in shipments, according to our latest service center inventories data.
HARDI: Galv market conditions signal firmer terrain in 2026
The galvanized steel market is navigating price increases and longer lead times with a surer footing than in prior months.
ABI tumbles as architectural billings soften further
The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) tumbled in January, as business softened further at architectural firms across the US.
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times inch higher
Hot rolled and galvanized lead times are about half a week longer than they were three months ago, while production times for cold rolled, Galvalume, and plate products are one to two weeks longer.
US scrap prices increase in February, sources say
US ferrous scrap prices continued to rise in February, scrap sources told SMU.
SMU Survey: Mills continue to hold firm on prices, most buyers say
Since late 2025, mills have begun to hold a firmer stance on prices, tightening their grip at the start of this year and holding on since
Market expects mill hikes to stick as seasonal demand increases: plate sources
Once wintery weather gives way to sunnier spring conditions, plate sources foresee the market accepting the $50-60 per short ton spot price increases issued by Nucor Plate Group, Oregon Steel Mills, and SSAB.
January service center shipments and inventories report
US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined in January, after trending higher in December. Shipping days of supply slipped to 58.5 on an adjusted basis at the end of January, according to SMU data.
AISI: Domestic output jumps to multi-year high
Raw steel production ramped up last week to one of the highest weekly rates recorded in the last four years, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.
Heating and cooling equipment shipments rebound through December
Following November’s nine-year low, heating and cooling equipment shipments rebounded 19% in December.
Rig count flat in US, slips in Canada
The latest Baker Hughes rig count report shows steady drilling for oil and gas in the US, while drilling in Canada slowed slightly.
Nucor aims to hike plate prices by $50/ton
Nucor on Friday announced plans to increase plate prices by $50 per short ton (st).
CRU: US prices move higher on supply squeeze
CRU: US Midwest sheet prices have continued to rise from our mid-January assessment.
Steel market chatter this week
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.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet moves higher, plate stable
SMU’s sheet price indices inched up to new multi-month highs this week, while plate prices held steady.
AISI: Raw steel production increases to 5-month high
Domestic mill output ramped up last week to a five-month high, according to the latest production data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production has held strong in recent weeks following the multi-month lows seen at the end of the year.