Category: SMU

The amount of finished steel available to the US market rose 1% from March to April, according to SMU calculations on Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.

SMU’s monthly at-a-glance articles summarize important steel market metrics for the prior month. This May report contains data updated through June 7. Steel prices for sheet and plate products continued to edge lower throughout May. The SMU Price Momentum Indicator was adjusted from neutral to lower at the beginning of the month. We saw a […]

Crude oil prices are forecast to ease slightly through the remainder of the year, while natural gas prices are expected to move higher following recent lows

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market events.

Sometimes, words can lead you in interesting directions. Specifically, crosswords. For the last six weeks we have been making steel-themed crosswords in the lead-up to SMU's Steel 101 course in Fort Wayne, Ind., which is taking place today and tomorrow. I’ve learned snippets of steel history and educated myself on the finer points of sponge iron.

US sheet prices continued to tick down this week as supply seems to outweigh demand, and deep discounts are not only for large-ton buys.

Total steel exports rebounded 6% in April, rising to 842,000 short tons (st) according to the latest US Department of Commerce data.

Steel imports fell back in May from April’s recent high but remained elevated compared to the levels seen over the past year. A deeper dive into the data confirms what SMU has been hearing from sources: Coated sheet is driving the recent rise in overall import levels.

Nucor said on Monday that it would lower its weekly hot-rolled (HR) coil price effective immediately. In a letter to customers, the company said its consumer spot price (CSP) for the week of June 10 would be $720 per short ton (st), a $60/st cut vs. the prior week. This is not the first big […]

Where do sheet prices go from here? How is the state of steel demand? And is the dip in prices we've seen just a case of the summer doldrums, or is it something more significant?

Oil and gas drilling activity in the US ticked down last week, remaining near a two-year low, according to the latest update from Baker Hughes. In contrast, the Canadian count inched higher and is now at a 10-week high.

Steel 101 The final countdown to our Steel 101 course has arrived. Held in Fort Wayne, Ind., on June 11-12, all the main ins and outs of steelmaking will be covered. And there will be a tour of SDI's Butler mill. You can still register here or reach out to us at events@steelmarketupdate.com.

Alacero has named new top leaders to help guide the Latin American steel association through its ongoing transformation and modernization process.

The latest SMU market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Historical survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if your company would like to have your voice heard in our future surveys, contact info@steelmarketupdate.com.

When it comes to steel decarbonization, we do not need to compromise our climate ambition to make the types of demanding steel products needed for our 21st-century economy. Nevertheless, many of the world’s highest-emitting steel producers and their allies would have you believe that one cannot be done without the other. They are wrong. They […]

It feels like the summer doldrums arrived a little earlier than usual this year. I know there had been rumors of a price hike. The prospect of a sharply lower June scrap trade probably didn't help the chances of that actually happening.

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices both rebounded sharply this week, according to our most recent survey data.

Movements in steel mill lead times were mixed this week, according to our latest steel buyers survey results. Service centers and manufacturers reported short to average production times, little changed from our last report.

Steel buyers found mills more willing to negotiate spot pricing this week on all products SMU tracks with the exception of Galvalume, according to our most recent survey data.

When you step out of the airport in Phoenix in June, the heat tends to focus your mind. I was in town to attend the Steel Manufacturers Association/Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) annual meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. The desert locale with palm trees, swimming pools, and the obligatory high-powered air conditioning was fitting for 2024. Between the presidential election and the geopolitical situation, things have definitely been heating up.

US sheet prices remained on a downward course again this week amid chatter in some corners about a potential broader slowdown in demand. SMU’s hot-rolled (HR) coil price now stands at $730 per short ton (st) on average, down $20/st from last week and down $115/st from a recent high of $845/st in early April. […]

Nucor will increase galvanized and galvannealed coating extras effective July 6, 2024.

The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) has named Brandon Farris as vice president of government affairs

Nucor said on Monday that it would keep its weekly hot-rolled (HR) coil price flat this week. In a letter to customers, the company said its consumer spot price (CSP) for the week of June 3 will remain $780 per short ton (st). The sideways move comes after two consecutive weeks of a $10/st increases […]

There seems to be more question than usual about which way prices will go over the next few weeks. There is talk in some corners that Nucor’s announced $760 per short ton (st) for HR through mid-May, and subsequent increases marked a public attempt to call a price bottom. (Our price announcement calendar here is […]

We have highlighted a few significant moment in steel history in our last few Final Thoughts crosswords. This week we decided to dedicate the entire crossword to history.

Steel imports jumped from March to April and are looking nearly as strong for May, according to updated Census data released earlier this week.

Earlier this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market chatter.

Sheet prices slipped again this week on a combination of moderate demand, increased imports, and higher import volumes.

Let's take a collective deep breath ::in:: and ::out::... And we're back. But where exactly are we? Are steel prices going up or down? Is demand really decelerating or is it an illusion? How is the market navigating the new mill pricing mechanisms?