Apparent steel supply slipped in February
Apparent steel supply declined 3% from January to February to the third-lowest rate recorded in the past two years, just 5% above the near-five-year low set last November.
Contributor: Brett Linton
Brett Linton
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SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment Indices remain strongly bullish
SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices indicate that steel buyers remain highly optimistic about their businesses’ chances for current and future success.
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times remain elevated
Steel mill lead times remained elevated this week, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.
SMU Survey: Most buyers say mills are holding firm on prices
Most sheet and plate buyers continue to report that mills are not negotiable on new order spot prices, according to our latest market survey conducted this week.
Steel exports remain muted through February
US steel exports held steady from January to February and remain near historical lows.
SMU Price Ranges: Availability trumps price as spot market squeeze tightens
Sheet and plate prices increased yet again this week on an increasingly tight spot market. It's gotten so tight that some market participants say they're becoming more concerned about availability than about price.
AISI: Raw steel production rises to four-year high
Raw steel production increased for the fourth-consecutive week last week to a new multi-year high, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Steel imports inch up in February and March from historic lows
Steel imports remain near some of the lowest volumes recorded in over five years.
Oil and gas drilling activity slows in US and Canada
Drilling activity declined in both the US and Canada this week, according to active oil and gas rig count figures released from Baker Hughes on Friday.
SMU Survey: Sheet and plate lead times stabilize at multi-year highs
Steel mill production times for sheet and plate products remain at or near multi-year highs, according to buyers responding to our latest market survey.
SMU Survey: Mills hold their grip on prices, buyers say
Most steel buyers report that mills are not willing to negotiate on new order spot prices, according to our latest market survey. Mill negotiability is now down to one of the lowest rates measured in over a year.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate prices flat or up (again) – for how long?
Sheet and plate prices were flat or modestly higher this week, continuing a trend we’ve seen since the beginning of Q4. The big question: How much longer can the trend hold?
AISI: Raw steel production rises to four-week high
Raw steel production recovered for the second-consecutive week and is now just 14,000 short tons below the four-year high production rate witnessed in mid-February.
Steelmaking raw material prices increase through March
Prices for iron ore, aluminum, pig iron, and shredded scrap have all risen in the last 30 days. Busheling scrap held steady, while zinc and coking coal declined.
Drilling activity slows in US and Canada
The latest count of operational drilling rigs declined in both the US and Canada this week, according to recently released data from Baker Hughes.
Steel market chatter this week
Most steel buyers see prices continuing to inch higher on stable or improving demand. But some are concerned higher energy prices stemming for the Iran war could dent the overall economy.
SMU Price Ranges: Modest increases in sheet, plate stable
The pace of sheet and plate price increases slowed this week, with most products holding at some of the highest levels seen in over a year.
Raw steel production ticks higher, nears multi-year high
Domestic mill production was estimated at 1.78 million short tons last week, near the four-year high set one month ago.
SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment Indices strengthen
Steel buyers remain highly optimistic for their businesses’ chances for current and future success, according to SMU’s latest Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices.
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: Sheet and plate lead times extend to multi-year highs
Steel mill lead times extended to multi-year highs on both sheet and plate products this week.
SMU Survey: Mills hold firm on prices, most buyers say
Most steel buyers report that domestic mills are unwilling to negotiate price on new sheet and plate spot orders.
Apparent steel supply inched up in January
Apparent steel supply increased from December to January, but remains on the low side compared to recent years.
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate markets tick higher
Prices for both sheet and plate products climbed higher this week, with some rising to multi-year highs, according to SMU's latest market canvass.
Heating and cooling equipment shipments fall back in January
Heating and cooling equipment shipments declined in January to the second-lowest rate recorded over the past nine years.
Steel exports recover in January, still historically weak
US steel exports jumped 33% in January but remain historically low, according to recently released US Department of Commerce data.
AISI: Domestic mill production eases for third week
Raw steel production declined last week for the third-consecutive week but remains historically strong, per AISI.
Steel imports remain low in January and February
Steel imports remained close to multi-year lows in January and February, according to US Commerce Department data released this week.
Drilling activity increases in US, falls in Canada
The latest tally of active oil and gas rigs increased in the US this week but declined in Canada, according to figures recently released from Baker Hughes.
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.