Category: SMU

Hot-rolled (HR) coil and plate prices continued to tick higher even as cold-rolled (CR) and coated prices came in unchanged, according to SMU’s latest check of the market.

North American steel buyers are navigating a market where demand is firming, but import activity remains cautious. Buyers reported mixed import activity in SMU’s June 26 flat-rolled steel buyers’ survey.

After the domestic scrap market wrapped up the first half of the year on a positive note, will July follow suit?

Total US raw steel output declined last week for the third-consecutive week but remains historically strong.

As all these initiatives unfold, one is left with the feeling that disruption of the global order is their primary purpose. As the old order is destroyed, it is time to think carefully about what will take its place.

Both Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices continue to indicate that steel buyers are confident in their companies’ prospects today, as well as in the months ahead.

Hybar LLC broke ground Friday on its second rebar mill in Osceola, Ark., accelerating one of the fastest expansion runs the US long-products sector has seen in years.

Cold-rolled coil prices moved higher in the US this week, as offshore prices trended lower. Imports are, as a result, increasingly more competitive, even with the 50% Section 232 tariff.

Consolidation continues in the HSS (hollow structural sections) sector, with two big deals announced just this month.

What comes next? Do prices plateau and then dip in late Q3/Q4 – which is what we saw in 2021? Or do they continue to rise into 2027?

Steel mill lead times remained extended this week on both sheet and plate products. Current production times three to four weeks longer than levels seen last summer.

Domestic hot band prices are at a multi-year high, presently averaging $1,145 per short ton (st). They’re on a 39-week rally that has seen prices climb $360/st over that span.

Domestic steelmakers told the Congressional Steel Caucus that strong trade enforcement and Section 232 tariffs continue to drive higher production, new investment, and facility restarts nationwide.

Starting on June 26, SMU’s Final Thoughts will become a standalone article delivered on Fridays, creating a dedicated space for thought leadership and market analysis from our experts.

Steel buyers negotiation rates remain at or near historic lows across most sheet and plate products.

Participants in the domestic plate market anticipate incoming price notifications before the end of the month, SMU learned in recent conversations. 

SMU’s average price for domestic HR was $1,145 per short ton (st) this week, $15/st higher week over week (w/w). In offshore markets last week, prices moved down, largely maintaining a trend seen since late April.

SMA's Philip K. Bell writes about the upcoming USMCA joint review.

Galvanized sheet buyers and distributors report that strong demand and constrained supply persist, exerting upward pressure on prices.

While the way we deliver Final Thoughts is changing on Friday, our commitment to bring you the most up-to-date steel news remains unwavering.

US sheet prices continue to move higher on extremely limited spot availability, solid demand, and extended lead times.

Total raw steel produced around the globe rebounded 3% in May to an estimated 157.9 million metric tons (mt), according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel).

The export market off the US East Coast has been largely inactive over the last two weeks.

We are in full ramp-up mode here at Steel Market Update as we put the final touches on North America’s largest flat‑rolled steel industry gathering of the year.

There has been a pause this month in new pig iron transactions between Brazil and the US due to uncertainty around US tariffs.

Cold-rolled (CR) coil prices ticked up in the US this week, as offshore prices mostly trended lower.

Starting June 26, SMU’s Final Thoughts will become a standalone article delivered every Friday, creating a dedicated space for thought leadership and market analysis from our experts.

South Korea has overtaken Canada as the top foreign supplier of steel to the US market.

It’s what we call: One ticket. Two conferences. One journey to gather steel and aluminum insight.

The US HRC futures curve has continued to move higher, particularly in the deferred months, suggesting the market is pricing a slower return to balance.