Category: Region

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

BlueScope Steel has responded to Steel Dynamics Inc. and SGH’s “best and final” offer to take over the steel company. While not outright rejecting a takeover, BlueScope believes the offer is undervalued and remains open to talks.

Trade for many of the sheet and plate products we follow has fallen to multi-year lows through December.

Sheet prices continue to grind higher on tight supply and 'okay' demand. Plate finally saw some movement after weeks of stability as price increases begin to stick.

Gerdau’s North American operations closed the fourth quarter of 2025 with another solid performance, according to its parent company’s most recent financial report. Supporting the steelmaker are resilient demand in key end-use markets and a continued rebalancing of domestic supply and imports.

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.

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.

North American auto assemblies recovered in January, up nearly 12% vs. December, though down more than 2% year on year (y/y), according to GlobalData.

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.

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 Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices continue to show that steel buyers are optimistic for their businesses’ chances of success.

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

The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) tumbled in January, as business softened further at architectural firms across the US.

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.

US ferrous scrap prices continued to rise in February, scrap sources told SMU.

Since late 2025, mills have begun to hold a firmer stance on prices, tightening their grip at the start of this year and holding on since

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.