Category: Market Data

PMA found the metalforming sector remains broadly stable but is becoming more cautious in its July Business Conditions Report.

SMU’s sheet and plate price indices were steady to higher this week, with all products at multi-year highs.

The total volume of raw steel produced by mills around the globe eased 2% in June, according to worldsteel.

Domestic steel mill output increased last week and remained historically strong, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.

Foreign steel is gaining traction with US buyers, according to SMU's most recent Flat-Rolled Steel Survey. Most manufacturers and service centers now report competitive pricing, and more are placing new foreign orders.

Hanwha Ocean has not definitively pulled its plans in Canada.

Chinese steel maker Jingye insisted that the British government halt its takeover of longs producer British Steel.

Drilling activity remained at or near multi-month highs in both the US and Canada this week, according to recently released oil and gas rig count figures by Baker Hughes.

SMU’s Steel Demand Index saw a slight decline in growth, slightly behind early July, but remaining in elevated territory, according to mid-to-late July indicators.

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices indicate that buyers remain confident in their companies’ prospects today and in the near future.

The results of the latest SMU flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members.

SMU’s Mill Order Index 2continued to expand in June. The result came as service center on-order volumes and new order entries continue to rise, according to our latest service center inventories data.

Steel mill lead times have trended upward since last November and now stand at or near multi-year highs for all products.

The majority of steel buyers responding to our market survey this week report that mills are holding a firm grip on prices

Spot market absorbs price hikes amidst booming plate demand 

Sheet prices continued to grind higher this week on factors familiar to most steel market participants: extremely limited spot availability, long lead times, low inventories, and firm demand.

The galvanized steel market isn't surging anymore; it's grinding.

Total US raw steel mill output declined last week to the lowest rate seen since April, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures

Apparent steel supply jumped 8% from April to May to a near four-year high, according to recent Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.

Steel exports eased 1% in May and remain significantly lower than trade of previous years.

Drilling activity ticked higher this week in both the US and Canada, according to recently released rig count data from Baker Hughes.

Despite persistent pricing uncertainty, the Fed's latest Beige Book reported that the US economy continued to expand at a modest pace with labor market conditions improving.

Steel export prices will remain under downward pressure across most major regions, due to seasonal demand weakness, intensifying competition, and the redirection of trade flows following the EU's revised tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system. 

Monthly steel imports rose back above 2 million short tons (st) in May and June, further recovering from the historic lows seen late last year, according to recent Commerce data.

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply was down marginally in June, and lower for a sixth straight month. Shipping days of supply slipped to 44.5, according to SMU data.

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.

Hot-rolled and cold-rolled prices held steady again this week while prices for coated products and plate continued to tick upward.

Domestic raw steel output eased to an 11-week low last week, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures

Some domestic hot-rolled coil market participants say they expect prices for hot-rolled coils to remain stable through the end of 2026.  The market participants predicted that mills would hold spot prices and incrementally tighten lead times. Continuing, that they’ll find imported product arrivals, experience seasonal demand dips and all conditions will culminate in stable prices throughout the summer.   Asked […]

The latest data from Baker Hughes show that oil and gas drilling in the US was steady last week, while it tapered off further in Canada.