Category: Market Data

Steel and aluminum have been identified as high priorities for trade

Despite the gain, the index remains below both the levels of November 2024 and the 2024 average.

Prices for the seven steelmaking raw materials SMU tracks moved in differing directions from December to January, according to our latest analysis.

The Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) has urged Canada to engage with the US administration to avoid the tariffs threatened by the Trump administration by Feb. 1. “The imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods will have an incredibly disruptive impact on our integrated North American supply chains and on our workers and their families,” François […]

Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market events.

The Trump administration has backed off tariffs on Colombia after the White House said the leader of the Latin American nation agreed to President Trump’s demands. “The Government of Colombia has agreed to President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States… without limitation or delay,” according […]

Day One of the second Trump administration did not bring tariffs, but it did signal that tariffs, and other major trade actions, are not far off.

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices saw a slight decline this week, slipping to levels last observed in early November

Steel mill lead times were mixed across the sheet and plate products SMU tracks, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.

The majority of steel buyers we canvassed this week continue to report that mills are willing to negotiate prices on new spot orders, though not as much as they were in early-January.  

Architecture firms reported a sharp reduction in billings in December, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) released by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.

Recent Federal Reserve data indicates that the US manufacturing sector remains healthy and stable. The strength of the manufacturing economy has a direct relationship to the health of the steel industry.

The incoming administration said it also wants to streamline permitting and roll back regulations.

Nucor’s “ambitious” carbon targets by the end of the decade and beyond have been certified by the Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC). The Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker used a base year of 2023 for its science-based emissions targets (SBET). It set an SBET of 0.975 metric tons (mt) of CO2 emissions per mt of hot-rolled steel […]

In this Premium analysis we cover North American oil and natural gas prices, drilling rig activity, and crude oil stock levels. Trends in energy prices and active rig counts are leading demand indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG), line pipe and other steel products.

“Price increases, while subdued, picked up,” Richard Deitz, Economic Research Advisor at the New York Fed. “Firms grew more optimistic that conditions would improve in the months ahead.”

Economic activity across the US experienced slight to moderate growth at the end of 2024, while manufacturing activity showed a slight decline

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market events.

AGC said Trump should be “sparing” in imposing new tariffs and exclude products needed for domestic manufacturing, energy and infrastructure.

Both SMU Steel Buyers' Sentiment Indices remain in positive territory, indicating that steel buyers are optimistic about the success of their businesses.

Buyers participating in our first market survey of 2025 reported a slight decline in mill lead times compared to our last survey in mid-December. After rising moderately in early December, lead times edged lower through this week and are now only slightly above the lows seen back in July and November. Overall, production times have remained historically short since last summer, with minimal movement since then.

Improved growth in data center planning and warehousing projects helped the Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) rebound in December.

“U.S. manufacturing activity contracted again in December, but at a slower rate compared to November,” according to Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

SMU’s Monthly Review provides a summary of important steel market metrics for the previous month. Our latest report includes data updated through December 31st.

Construction spending inched higher in November for a second straight month.

The December reading of 36.9 declined 3.3 points from the previous month to the lowest reading since May 2024.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) lauded the recent passage of a water resources bill in Congress.

Both of our Sentiment Indices remain in positive territory and indicate that steel buyers are optimistic about the success of their businesses.

Steel mill production times have seen very little change since September, according to buyers participating in our latest market survey.

“Manufacturers are optimistic,” said Timothy R. Fiore, chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.