Category: Market Segment

Steel imports slowed further in December and January to some of the lowest volumes recorded in recent years.

SMU sits down with JSW Steel USA CEO Rob Simon.

Leaders of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) and the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) used this year's Tampa Steel Conference to outline the North American steel industry's central challenges: growing pressures, tariff realignments, and the upcoming USMCA review.

Cleveland-Cliffs has appointed Ralph “Mike” Michael III, former chairman of AK Steel, as lead independent director of its board, effective immediately.

SMU’s Steel Demand Index slipped from earlier in the month, but remains above expansion territory, according to late-February indicators.

The amount of raw steel produced by US mills rose to the highest level recorded in over four years, according to AISI's latest figures.

The US Department of Commerce is adjusting the countervailing duties (CVDs) on steel plate imports from Korea.

Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tenn., voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify a labor contract with the United Autoworkers. The deal marks the first union contract for Southern autoworkers outside the “Big Three” Detroit-area automakers.

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $990 per short ton (st), up $10/st from last week.

The wait for an answer is finally over (sort of). In a six-to-three decision, the Supreme Court invalidated the Administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs.

On Friday, the Supreme Court released its long-awaited decision on the IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tariffs imposed by president Trump beginning last April. As most of you already know, by a six-to-three majority, the Court ruled against the president.

Ryerson Holding Corp. posted a loss in the fourth quarter and full-year 2025. But the Chicago-based service center group struck an optimistic tone as it began integrating Olympic Steel and is seeing early signs of a manufacturing rebound.

Participants in the domestic sheet market say they experienced lighter inquiries and fewer orders than in previous weeks, rendering domestic mill price increases for spot-market hot- and cold-rolled coils irrelevant.  

The spread between domestic hot-rolled coil and prime scrap prices widened slightly in February. It has been trending in that direction since October.

Nucor Corp. has made an internal promotion and named the new top financial officer of the Charlotte, N.C.-based steel company.

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

SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) rose again in January, maintaining momentum from the month prior. The increase came as service center intake levels ticked up, supported by a jump in shipments, according to our latest service center inventories data.

The galvanized steel market is navigating price increases and longer lead times with a surer footing than in prior months.  

Hot rolled and galvanized lead times are about half a week longer than they were three months ago, while production times for cold rolled, Galvalume, and plate products are one to two weeks longer.

Ternium SA closed 2025 under pressure from lower steel prices and softer shipments. But the Latin American steelmaker expects both volumes and margins to improve early in 2026 as Mexico’s trade defenses tighten and US tariff uncertainty begins to settle.

Reliance Inc. reported record tons sold in 2025 as the company’s earnings improved in the quarter.

Emissions rules, production limits and material substitution are reshaping steel and aluminum use in North American vehicles.

The final panel of last week’s Tampa Steel Conference brought together executives from three different service center, all of which were optimistic for 2026.

Once wintery weather gives way to sunnier spring conditions, plate sources foresee the market accepting the $50-60 per short ton spot price increases issued by Nucor Plate Group, Oregon Steel Mills, and SSAB. 

As referenced in Michael Cowden's last Final Thoughts, Mexico has opened a formal investigation into cold-rolled steel imports from the US, China, and Malaysia. Here are the details.

The extreme cold we've seen over the last month or so might be passing. But it's still stormy out there when it comes to trade issues. The latest trade matter that’s led to more pings than usual on my phone and in my inbox: Ternium México filed a trade petition against imports of cold-rolled (CR) coil from China, Malaysia, and the United States.

Steel Dynamics Inc. and SGH Ltd have upped their bid to acquire BlueScope Steel.

Australia-based steelmaker BlueScope reported higher profits in its North American operations in the first half of its fiscal-year 2026 as it remained open to bids for the overall company.

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined in January, after trending higher in December. Shipping days of supply slipped to 58.5 on an adjusted basis at the end of January, according to SMU data.

Barry Zekelman used his Tampa Steel Conference fireside chat to deliver one of the bluntest assessments yet of the forces shaping North American steel. He warned that a flawed tariff structure and an impending power crunch threaten the industry more than most realize.