HARDI: HVAC market predicts bullish streak sustains through summer
Galvanized steel buyers and distributors expect tightening supply and rising price pressure to last into summer.
Category: Market Data
AIA: ABI slips in April as economic uncertainty deepens
Architecture firm billings retreated modestly in April, with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) reporting another month below the growth threshold.
AISI: Raw steel production inches up to 6-year high
Domestic raw steel production ticked up to the highest weekly output rate recorded since March 2020, according to recently published American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.
Apparent steel supply jumped to an 8-month high in March
Apparent steel supply surged 11% from February to March, recovering from one of the lower rates recorded in recent years to one of the higher ones.
CRU: ArcelorMittal-linked company seeks bankruptcy protection
inancially burdened Baffinland Iron Mines is applying for shelter from creditors under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).
With US prices high and lead times long, some sheet buyers eye imports
Sources told SMU they’ve begun considering whether US imports of sheet might benefit the overall market.
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.
Rig count creeps higher in US, holds steady in Canada
The US rig count crept higher for a fourth week, while Canada's count held steady for a second, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes.
SMU Survey: Sentiment Indices reflect continued optimism
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices remained in strongly optimistic territory this week, based on responses from steel executives in our latest market survey.
April service center shipments and inventories report
US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply fell for a fourth straight month in April, with shipping days of supply slipping to 45.7 on an adjusted basis, according to SMU data.
Final Thoughts: As goes oil, so goes coil?
Inventories are getting dangerously low. (Sheet stocks are at their lowest point since May 2021!) Lead times remain extended. And mills have few spot tons available. (The ‘a’ word – “allocation” – is being kicked around.)
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times remain extended
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times remain extended, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.
SMU Survey: Buyers report mills are holding a grip on prices
Buyers continue to report mills are holding a firm grip on sheet and plate prices.
Plate sources worry over near-term supply issues, price direction
Plate market participants wonder how plate supply will hold up in coming weeks and months, sources told SMU. Some sources called out dwindling availability of heavier grades and said certain domestic producers have “a huge backlog.” of all grades.
US steel exports inch higher in March from low base
US steel exports improved in March but remain historically low, having trended lower for over a year now.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate markets continue to tick higher
All five of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices ticked higher this week, rising further to new multi-year highs. Prices increased between $5-25 per short ton (st) from last week and are $30-65/st higher than they were one month ago.
Heating and cooling equipment shipments increase through March
Total heating and cooling equipment shipments jumped 24% from February to March according to recently released AHRI figures.
Raw steel output continues to rise in US
US mills' capability utilization hit 81.4% last week, up from 80.4% the week prior and from 76.6% a year ago.
SSAB hikes plate prices by $40/ton, Nucor maintains current pricing
In a May 11 price notice, SSAB upped its transaction prices for new, non-contract plate orders confirmed to ship from June 28 onward.
Sheet sources comforted by stable market, hopeful for summer
Sheet market participants found modest spot price increases this past week, but conceded that overall market conditions remained stable.
Oil and gas rig counts tick up in US and Canada
US and Canadian drilling activity both ticked higher this week, according to recently released data from Baker Hughes.
Plate market participants predict more mill price hikes
Plate market participants expect additional base price hikes from domestic mills, something that has some eyeing imports.
Steel imports recover modestly in March and April
Following the historical lows seen in recent months, steel import volumes marginally increased in March and April.
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 scrap market survey results now available
SMU’s April ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
Survey says steel imports are enticing, but still not many takers
Steel traders continue to report strong interest from North American buyers, with their import orders ticking higher, according to our latest survey results. Many manufacturers and service centers, however, report that they have not yet taken the bait.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet, plate extend gains as better demand enters the chat
Sheet and plate prices remained on an upward trend as industry sources increasingly asked whether improved demand might be driving the market as much as limited supply.
AISI: Domestic steel shipments rose in March
US steel shipments increased in March from February as well as year over year, the American Iron and Steel Institute said Monday.
Fed indicators signal healthy manufacturing sector
Most manufacturing indicators strengthened through March and showed strong positive annual growth.
SMU's Mill Order Index improved in March
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) recovered in March, gaining some momentum after a marginal decline in February.