Data on US industrial production, capacity utilization, new orders and inventories continue to improve. February and March 2022 reports indicate a strengthening manufacturing sector. The health of the manufacturing economy has a direct bearing on the health of the steel industry. The Industrial Production Index The IP index is a gauge of output from factories, mines […]
Global crude steel production was estimated at 161.1 million metric tons in March as steelmakers around the world expanded output by 18.4 million metric tons, or 12.9%, from the prior month, the World Steel Association (worldsteel) reported. Since reaching an all-time high of 174.4 million metric tons last May, global steel output had waned in […]
Demand for design services from architecture firms in the US expanded sharply in March, following a more modest increase over the previous three months. The gain marked the 14th consecutive month of growth following the pandemic-induced downturn in 2020. March’s AIA’s Architecture Billings Index registered 58.0, according to the latest report from the American Institute […]
The number of total active drilling rigs in the US rose again this week, while Canadian rigs declined, according to data from oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The number of active oil and gas drilling rigs in operation is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods […]
Business activity in the state of New York expanded markedly in April, following the first decline in the headline index since the onset of the global pandemic nearly two years ago, according to the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index is now at 24.6 (above the neutral mark of 0), surging 36.4 points […]
Steel Market Update’s Steel Buyers Sentiment Index moved 4 points lower this week, following a 3-point bump up two weeks prior and an 11 point surge in mid-March. Theses sentiment measures correlate with the sharp rebound in steel prices caused by the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as the recent slowdown seen in prices. Steel Market Update’s latest benchmark price […]
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) both praised the White House guidance to federal agencies outlining obligations to procure materials domestically for infrastructure projects. “We appreciate the commitment of the Biden-Harris administration to ensure that all federally-funded infrastructure and public works projects use iron, steel and other products that […]
Flat Rolled = 52 Shipping Days of Supply Plate = 44.4 Shipping Days of Supply Flat Rolled US service center flat rolled inventories edged down further in March. Inventories did not fall as much as expected, as attitudes about inventory changed with the reversal of pricing trends. At the end of March, service centers carried […]
The Energy Information Administration’s April Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) continues to remain subject to a high level of uncertainty due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Regarding price forecasts, the EIA continues to warn that “actual outcomes will be dependent on the degree to which existing sanctions are imposed on Russia, any potential future sanctions, and […]
Total mill shipments of steel products fell for the second straight month in February to 7.655 million tons, a 6.1% decline from January’s 8.153 million tons. Apparent supply also fell in February, down 12.1% versus the prior month, falling repeatedly and unable to maintain the momentum seen during the final quarter of 2021. This analysis is based […]
Steel mill lead times appear to be steadying this week for four of the five sheet and plate products we track. They are also rising at a slower rate compared to the big gains seen in March. Steel Market Update’s latest check of the market indicates sheet lead times increased by an average of 0.2 weeks […]
The firm grip mills have held on price negotiations remains but may be softening, according to buyers polled in our latest market survey. Every two weeks, SMU asks respondents: Are you finding domestic mills willing to negotiate spot pricing on new orders placed this week? On average this week, three out of four steel buyers reported that mills are […]
Total active drilling rigs in the US increased this week, while Canadian rigs declined further, according to recent data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The number of active oil and gas drilling rigs in operation is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) […]
By CRU Principal Economist Alex Tuckett, from CRU’s Global Economic Outlook The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has continued to rock commodity and financial markets. We expect the fallout from the invasion to reduce world growth this year and next, through three main channels: Energy prices. Russia is a major producer and exporter of […]
US job growth was strong in March. The hiring pace was boosted by consumer demand and declining COVID-19 caseloads. Employers added 431,000 jobs last month, bringing the unemployment rate down to 3.6% from 3.8% a month earlier. That rate is just a touch higher than levels right before the pandemic hit in 2020, according to […]
The US labor market expanded at a strong pace in March, adding 431,000 new jobs and bringing the unemployment rate to a new, pandemic-era low of 3.6%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Though payroll gains were lower than economists had expected, they still rounded up a strong first quarter for the US labor market […]
Steel prices rose each week in March, and the increases were the first in six months. Hot rolled prices were down to $1,000 per ton ($50 per cwt) the first week of March, the lowest level seen since December 2020. Prices then surged $435 per ton throughout the month, with the SMU index averaging $1,435 per ton […]
SMU’s Steel Buyers Sentiment Index moved 3 points higher this week, following an 11 point surge in mid-March. Theses jumps in sentiment correlate with the unexpected rebound in steel prices caused by the Ukraine-Russia war. Steel Market Update’s latest check of the market pegged the benchmark price for hot rolled coil at $1,435 per ton […]
The outlook among purchasing managers surveyed by the Institute for Supply Management remains optimistic, showing continued expansion in March despite a slight month-on-month decline in growth rates. Last month’s Manufacturing PMI edged down to a reading of 57.1% versus 58.6% in February. The index reading above 50% indicates growth in the manufacturing sector, and March’s […]
US manufacturing activity saw a sharp improvement in March driven by big increases in output and new orders. Both domestic and foreign client demand ticked higher, according to the latest US Manufacturing PMI data from S&P Global. The overall upturn was aided by a sharper expansion in production at the end of the first quarter. Indeed, […]
Steel mill lead times continue to extend, but they are rising at a more moderate pace compared to early March. Steel Market Update’s latest check of the market indicates that lead times for sheet and plate increased by an average of 0.6 weeks, compared to an average jump of 1.2 weeks two weeks prior. Buyers surveyed […]
Mills are increasingly holding firm on higher prices. The result: the buyer’s market we saw at the beginning of the year is offically over. Every two weeks, Steel Market Update asks buyers: Are you finding domestic mills willing to negotiate spot pricing on new orders placed this week? The overwhelming majority of steel buyers polled this […]
The Chicago Business Barometer showed a much bigger than expected increase in March after falling to an 18-month low the month prior, according to the latest indicators from Market News International (MNI) and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). MNI Indicators said the business barometer jumped to 62.9 in March from 56.3 in February and […]
World crude steel production fell in February, declining for the second straight month. Global output was estimated at 142.7 million metric tons last month, as steelmakers around the world cut production by 12.3 million metric tons, or 7.9%, from January, according to World Steel Association (worldsteel) data. After hitting an all-time high of 174.4 million […]
The US economy closed out 2021 by expanding at an annual pace of 6.9% from October through December, a slight downgrade from previous estimates, according to the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This agency’s third and final review showed the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) up 5.7% in the fourth quarter, the […]
US consumer confidence bounced back slightly from a one-year low in March on labor market optimism. But confidence could slip as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to tamp down inflation, The Conference Board reported. Sentiment about current business and labor market conditions recovered in March after falling in the prior two months. Americans’ outlook for the […]
Global crude steel production was estimated at 142.7 million metric tons in February as steelmakers around the world cut output by 12.3 million metric tons, or 7.9%, from the prior month, the World Steel Association (worldsteel) reported. Since reaching an all-time high of 174.4 million metric tons last May, global steel output has waned in […]
New orders for US manufactured durable goods fell 2.2%, or $6.0 billion, in February, snapping a four-month rally, according to the Commerce Department. Orders at domestic factories for long-lasting goods fell more than expected last month, while business investment fell for the first time in a year. February’s outcome suggests high inflation and ongoing supply […]
Demand for design services from architecture firms in the US rose moderately in February. The gain marked the 13th consecutive month of growth following the pandemic-induced downturn in 2020. February’s AIA’s Architecture Billings Index registered 51.3, according to the latest report from the American Institute of Architects. The ABI is an advanced economic indicator for nonresidential […]
The number of active oil and gas drill rigs in the U.S. increased this week, while Canadian rigs declined, according to recent data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The active drill rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) demand. The […]