Category: Market Data

The volume of raw steel produced by US mills slipped to a seven-week low last week but remains historically high, according to American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures released on Monday.

Total heating and cooling equipment shipments declined 5% in April, according to AHRI figures.

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined for a fourth straight month in May, with shipping days of supply slipping to 44.7 on an adjusted basis, according to SMU data.

After reaching historic lows late last year, import volumes have increased each month of 2026, according to recently released US Commerce Department data.

Oil and gas drilling activity in Canada picked up over the past week, while drilling in the US remained mostly steady.

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

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices remained strongly optimistic this week and continue to indicate that buyers are confident in their companies’ prospects.

A major trade case finalized late last year, along with higher Section 232 tariffs, account for the reduced imports.

Steel mill lead times extended this week on both sheet and plate products, now at multi-year highs.

This week we saw continued low negotiation rates across all products, with cold rolled and plate the least negotiable and galvanized the most.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product continues to narrow, as stateside prices are now, on average, carrying a premium over imports. Domestic tags are still outpacing imported hot band as pricing dynamics diverge.

All five of SMU’s price indices increased this week to new multi-year highs. Prices have increased by 20-25% since the beginning of the year.

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.