Steelmaking raw material prices ease into March
Prices of most steelmaking raw materials have moved lower over the last 30 days, according to Steel Market Update’s latest analysis.
Contributor: Brett Linton
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett Linton 
SMU survey: Steel mill lead times stabilize following months of declines
Steel mill lead times were flat to slightly up, according to our market survey this week.
Apparent steel supply surpasses 8.5 million tons in January
The apparent supply of steel in the US increased in January, rising to a five-month high, according to data compiled from the US Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
January steel exports rebound from previous month’s low
US steel exports jumped to 770,649 short tons (st) in January, rising 25% from the 12-month low recorded one month prior.
February import licenses slip from January’s seven-month high
The latest steel import license data from the US Commerce Department shows 2.39 million short tons (st) of steel entered the country in February 2024, down 6% from the month prior.
Rig count declines in US and in Canada
US and Canadian rig counts both eased this week, according to the latest release from Baker Hughes on Mar. 8. Recall that US rigs had reached a 5-month high last week.
Price gap between HRC and CRC continues to widen
The price premium cold-rolled coil (CRC) carries over hot-rolled coil (HRC) remains wide, according to our latest market check. Based on our steel price indices published Tuesday, the spread between these products is at the fifth-highest weekly level seen over the last 16 months.
SMU's February at a glance
Steel prices continued to ease lower throughout February, following a loss of upwards momentum in the middle of January.
Active US rig count rises to 5-month high, Canada level
The number of active rigs in the US inched up to the highest level seen since September, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes.
SMU survey: Current Buyers' Sentiment wanes, Future Sentiment rises
SMU’s Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index eased to an eight-week low, according to our most recent survey data.
SMU survey: Steel mill lead times near 5-month low
Steel mill lead times shrunk by an average of 0.3 weeks, according to our latest market survey, now nearing levels last seen in September of last year.
Domestic HRC Maintains Competitive Edge Over Import Prices
Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) continues to hold a competitive price advantage over imported steel, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis. US HRC is approximately 3–13% cheaper than foreign prices this week, after consideration of freight costs, trader margins, and any applicable tariffs. This is the tenth consecutive week US prices have […]
SMU Market Survey Results Now Available
The latest SMU Market Survey results are now available on our website to all Premium members. After logging in at SteelMarketUpdate.com, visit the Analysis tab and look under the “Survey Results” section for “Latest Survey Results.” Historical survey results are also available in the Survey Results section under “Survey Results History.” If you need help […]
Preliminary Steel Imports Fall 17% in November to 21-Month Low
Preliminary Census data indicates that steel imports will have totaled 2.01 million net tons for the month of November. This is down 17% compared to the month prior, now standing at the lowest level recorded since February 2021. Import levels have been gradually falling since reaching a 26-month high in March 2022 of 3.09 million […]
Holiday Notice: Christmas and New Year
Steel Market Update is taking some time off for Christmas and the New Year. Our last issue of 2022 will be published on Thursday, Dec. 22. Our offices will be closed the week of Dec. 26-30, as well as on Monday, Jan. 2. In addition, we will not update prices on Tuesday, Dec. 27. We […]
Steel Mill Lead Times Rise Across the Board
Steel mill lead times increased again this week, extending by an average of 0.3 weeks across all five products we track. Recall that lead times for hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and galvanized products were at or near multi-year lows in our late November market check. Lead times have increased an average of 0.8 weeks compared to levels […]
Steel Mills Less Willing To Negotiate Lower Prices
A significant percentage of steel buyers continue to report that mills willing to negotiate lower prices on new order prices. But that rate has been declining since early November, according to Steel Market Update’s recent market checks. Mills’ willingness to negotiate lower prices for sheet products is at its lowest point since late April, when tags […]
Domestic Hot Rolled Prices Maintain Edge Over Imports
Prices of imported hot-rolled coil (HRC) remain higher than domestic steel, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis. US HRC is approximately 2–12% cheaper than foreign prices this week, after consideration of freight costs, trader margins and any applicable tariffs. This is the eighth consecutive week domestic prices have been cheaper […]
Foreign vs. Domestic HRC Price Update: US Steel Holds the Edge
Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) continues to hold a competitive price advantage over imported steel, though that advantage is slightly easing, according to our latest analysis. US HRC is theoretically 3–13% cheaper than foreign prices this week, after consideration of freight costs, trader margins, and any applicable tariffs. This is the seventh consecutive week domestic prices […]
Hot Rolled vs Prime Scrap Price Spread Remains Low
The spread between hot-rolled coil (HRC) and prime scrap prices is narrowing for the second consecutive month, according to Steel Market Update data. Prices for both products increased in December, following five consecutive months of declines. The latest HRC-prime spread is one of the lowest recorded in more than two years. The spread is now back […]
Apparent Steel Supply Rises in October, Remains Low Historically
US apparent steel supply ticked up 3% in October to 8.5 million net tons, according to data from the US Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Recall that apparent supply had fallen to a 19-month low in September—so while levels increased in October, it represents the third-lowest figure recorded in […]
Steel Market Chatter This Week
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on a variety of subjects including current and future steel prices, inventory strategies, supply, demand, and new mill capacity. We are sharing the comments we received in each buyer’s own words rather than summarizing them in ours. We want to hear your thoughts, too! […]
Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipments Fall 8% Through October
US heating and cooling equipment shipments declined further in October, according to recently released data from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). Total shipments in October were 1.79 million units, 8% less than September levels and down 13% compared with the same month last year. October represents the third-lowest shipment rate recorded in the […]
US Steel Exports Decline Further in October
US steel export volumes eased further from September to October, falling 4% to 697,000 net tons, according to the latest US Commerce Department data. Exports are now at a nine-month low, with October being the third slowest month of trade over the past 20 months. Exports have trended downwards since peaking in March and April of this […]
SMU Sentiment Index Dips From 5-Month High, But Remains Strong
After surging in late November to a five-month high, Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Index slipped three points through Dec. 8th. Our Future Buyers Sentiment Index also fell a few points from it’s previous high, down three points in comparison to two weeks prior. Buyers Sentiment remains strong overall, and Current Sentiment is […]
Scrap Prices Rise in December, Higher Expectations for January
Ferrous scrap prices increased from November to December, according to Steel Market Update sources, breaking the seven-month cycle of price declines. Buyers reported prime scrap prices increased roughly $30 per gross ton, while shredded prices rose $20 per ton. “Scrap prices are up a minimum $20-30 per ton this month,” reported one scrap executive. He […]
SMU Sentiment Index Dips From 5-Month High, But Remains Strong
After surging in late November to a five-month high, Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Index slipped three points through Dec. 8th. Our Future Buyers Sentiment Index also fell a few points from it’s previous high, down three points in comparison to two weeks prior. Buyers Sentiment remains strong overall, and Current Sentiment is […]
SMU Market Survey Results Now Available
The latest SMU Market Survey results are now available on our website to all Premium members. After logging in at SteelMarketUpdate.com, visit the Analysis tab and look under the “Survey Results” section for “Latest Survey Results.” Historical survey results are also available in the Survey Results section under “Survey Results History.” If you need help […]
Mills Less Willing to Negotiate on Sheet Prices, More Eager on Plate
There has been a reduction in the percentage of sheet buyers reporting that mills are willing to talk price on new orders, according to Steel Market Update’s latest market questionnaire. Mill willingness to negotiate on sheet products is now at the lowest rate recorded since May. Negotiation rates on plate products went in the opposite […]
Steel Mill Lead Times Change Direction, Extend Modestly
Steel mill lead times extended across the board this week, with production times increasing for all five products we track. Recall that lead times for hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and galvanized products were previously at or near multi-year lows in our late November market check. Lead times are up by an average of 0.5 weeks compared to […]