Category: Sheet

Over the last two decades, the role of the scrap broker has been diminished in favor of steel mills purchasing their scrap requirements directly from scrap dealers.

Sheet prices increased again this week on the heels of higher costs for scrap, pig iron, and iron ore.

Domestic steel production slipped for the week ended Dec. 9 but rose in three regions, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute’s (AISI’s) report on Monday, Dec. 11.

October saw domestic heating and cooling equipment shipments drop for a second consecutive month, according to the latest data released from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

The LME Aluminum 3-month price is moving up again on the morning of Dec. 8 and was last seen trading at $2,157 per metric ton. The way the price increased first thing in the morning suggests a support may have finally been found, but resistance could hit quickly at $2,200 /metric ton. SHFE cash was […]

The percentage of steel buyers saying mills were willing to budge on spot pricing has risen for all sheet products SMU surveys, according to our most recent survey data.

Movements in lead times were mixed in SMU’s check of the market this week – a reflection of the seasonal dip in ordering that is typically seen during the winter holiday season.

American steel mills sent out more tons of steel in October than the previous month, according to the latest monthly data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Domestic mills shipped 7,346,373 net tons in October, up 1.3% from the 7,252,942 tons sent out in September. Shipments were also up 1.9% compared to the […]

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on a variety of subjects, including steel sheet prices, lead times, scrap prices, performance, purchasing, and demand. Rather than summarizing the comments we received, we are sharing some of them in each buyer’s own words. We want to hear your thoughts, too! Contact david@steelmarketupdate.com to be included […]

Steel used to be cited as a big sticking point in the energy transition, but this is no longer the case. Fossil-fuel-free steel is real and is being produced. However, immediate and enabling policy support is needed to scale up and roll out new technologies at scale.  The production of steel represents some 7% to […]

Cleveland-Cliffs is now targeting base prices of $1,100 per ton ($55 per cwt) for hot-rolled coil (HRC).

Ryerson Holding Corp. announced Dec. 4 that it acquired Hudson Tool Steel Corporation. The Cerritos, Calif.-based Hudson is a supplier of tool steels and high-speed, carbon, and alloy steels. The company has additional locations in Loves Park, Ill., and Dover, N.H. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Hudson’s offering of high-quality standard and specialty-grade […]

Sheet prices shot higher again this week on the heels of another round of mill price increases as well as on reports of production and supply chain issues at certain domestic producers.

Mining-metal group Rio Tinto has completed a transaction to purchase half of US aluminum recycling company Matalco from owner, the Giampaolo Group, for $700 million (€638 million), subject to final closing adjustments. The companies will turn Matalco into a 50:50 joint venture. The investment will expand Rio Tinto’s aluminum business in the US, where demand […]

Sheet prices continued to move higher this week on the heels of mill price hikes and extending lead times.

The percentage of steel buyers saying mills were willing to negotiate spot pricing has fallen for all products SMU surveys, according to our most recent survey data.

Nucor aims to increase base prices on all new sheet orders, effective immediately. The Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker seeks at least $1,100 per ton ($55 per cwt) for hot-rolled coil (HRC), according to a Monday letter to customers.

Flat-rolled steel prices were in a holding pattern ahead of Thanksgiving.

Galvanized steel buyers reported a seller's market with steady demand, long lead times, and strong pricing on this month’s call of the Sheet Metal/Air Handling Council of the Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) association.

The spread between hot-rolled coil (HRC) and galvanized sheet base prices has been hovering near $200 per net ton since late July, according to SMU’s latest analysis.

Surging US sheet prices and expanding lead times are making imports more attractive. The automotive workers’ strike is essentially over, and domestic US sheet prices have rocketed higher alongside lead times. There is little to suggest that the momentum of these price increases will slow over the next month or two, and thus imports have […]

Spot prices for steel sheet shot upward again this week on the heels of steep price increases announced by domestic mills last week. SMU’s hot-rolled coil price rose to $940 per ton ($47 per cwt) on average, up $75 per ton from last week and up nearly $300 per ton from a 2023 low of […]

The percentage of steel buyers saying mills were willing to negotiate spot pricing fell for hot rolled this week, while plate's negotiation rate shot up, according to SMU's most recent survey data.

Lead times for most sheet products were pushed out even further this week as domestic prices continue to rise. Plate lead times, meanwhile, contracted on falling prices and waning demand.

Nucor Corp. announced this morning that it is joining Cleveland-Cliffs, aiming to increase prices for hot-rolled steel (HRC) and heavy gauge hot-rolled products, effective immediately.

Spot prices for steel sheet continued to shoot upward this week, which brought yet another round of price hikes.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. said on Tuesday that it had raised minimum base prices for hot-rolled coil (HRC) to $1,000 per ton ($50 per cwt).

ArcelorMittal joins U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs, pushing sheet prices higher, according to an internal commercial memo on Oct. 31.  

Sheet prices surged this week on limited spot tonnage and on the heels of steep price increases announced by domestic mills.

Cleveland-Cliffs said Tuesday that it would increase spot market base prices for carbon hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and coated steel sheet.