Steel market chatter this week
Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events.
Category: Market Data
October US mill shipments slip but still higher than 2024
Domestic steel shipments dropped in October vs. September, but increased year over year.
Metalformers outlook steady despite headwinds in November: PMA
Metalforming manufacturers were mixed in their outlook, anticipating business conditions could either worsen or, at best, hold in the near-term, according to PMA's November report.
US plate market welcomes price increases from producers
Sources expect the recent spot market price hikes on domestically produced plate products to be accepted by the market.
AISI: Raw steel production edges lower
The volume of raw steel produced by US mills eased last week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Chicago Business Barometer fell to 18-month low in November
The Chicago Business Barometer tumbled to an 18-month low in November, according to Market News International (MNI) and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
ISM: November marks ninth month of contraction in manufacturing sector
The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) latest report reflects the dim market conditions reported by US manufacturing executives in November.
SMU Survey: Current, Future Sentiment Indices log increases
SMU’s Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index improved this week as Future Sentiment inched up as well, according to our most recent survey data.
US and Canadian rig counts fall back
US and Canadian rig counts both declined this week, according to the latest Baker Hughes data released on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.
SMU Survey: Lead times extend across the board
Steel mill lead times extended this week on all sheet and plate products tracked, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.
SMU Price Ranges: Market gradually climbs higher
All five of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices increased this week for the second week in a row, with all products inching up to new multi-month highs. Prices are now up by $30-70/st compared to those seen four weeks ago.
Steel imports slump in September and October
US steel imports declined considerably in September and October, with trade falling to reduced levels not seen in nearly five years.
US offers EU steel tariff deal in exchange for looser tech regulations
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche expressed frustration with US levies on steel and aluminum products. The US contends the EU is unfairly targeting its big tech firms.
AISI: Weekly raw steel production ticks back up
Domestic steel production improved last week, according to the latest figures from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Global steel production ticked higher in October
Following four consecutive monthly declines, world crude steel output recovered 1% from September to October to an estimated 143.3 million metric tons (mt), according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel).
US and Canadian rig counts log increases
US and Canadian rig counts both improved this week, according to the latest Baker Hughes data.
HR market looks for deals as prices increase
Sources say domestic mill lead times and consumer spot prices have increased this week.
HR Futures: Movement in the market
In the month since my last column, the tides have started to turn – and as usual it wasn’t the physical market that moved first.
Steelmaking raw material prices stabilize through November
Most steelmaking raw material prices remained stable over the past month. Prices are mixed in comparison to this time last year.
Plate sources say Q1 demand spike is imminent
Domestic plate market participants anticipate strong economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, which they say is the perfect reason for spot market price hikes now.
Steel market chatter this week
Steel market chatter from our most recent survey.
AIA: Architecture business conditions remain soft, firms cautious for next year
Architecture firms reported a modest improvement in billings in October, though business conditions remained soft, according to the latest ABI report.
Price gap between US HRC, imports narrows
The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product shrank week over week (w/w).
SMU Steel Demand Index falls back, remains in contraction
The SMU Steel Demand Index slackened from late October, remaining below expansion territory, according to SMU's mid-November indicators.
SMU price ranges: Sheet and plate prices rise further
SMU’s price indices increased across the board this week, reaching new multi-month highs.
SMU Mill Order Index jumped in October
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) surged in October after a notable decline the month prior. The recovery came as service center on order inventory totals picked up, supported by a slight uptick in shipments, according to our latest service center inventories data.
AISI: Weekly raw steel production ticks down
Domestic steel production dipped last week, but was still above the year-to-date weekly average and the same week a year earlier.
New York state manufacturing activity surges in November
Manufacturing activity in New York state was slightly elevated in early November.
October service center shipments and inventories report
US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply edged lower for the third straight month, reaching 53.3 shipping days of supply on an adjusted basis at the end of October, according to SMU data.