Contributor: Brett Linton

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

AISI: Raw steel output slips

The amount of raw steel produced by US mills eased last week according to the AISI. Production remains strong compared to the multi-month lows seen at the end of the year.

Drilling activity up modestly in the US and Canada

The latest count of operational oil and gas rigs increased in both the US and Canada this week, according to the latest data released from Baker Hughes.

Steelmaking raw material prices increase through January

All but one of the steelmaking raw materials we track increased in price over the last month

Steel market chatter this week

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

SMU Price Ranges: Sheet continues mostly upward, plate holds as sources assess impact of severe cold

Sheet prices mostly continued their uneven but steady march higher this week, according to SMU’s latest check of the market.

AISI: Raw steel production jumps to 20-week high

Raw steel output from US mills climbed last week to the highest rate seen in over four months, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures

Active rig counts rise in US and Canada

The latest tally of operational oil and gas rigs increased this week in both the US and Canada, according to the latest figures published by Baker Hughes.

SMU Survey: Buyers’ Sentiment Indices indicate optimism

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices both increased this week to multi-month highs

SMU Survey: Lead times stabilize following early January bump

Steel mill lead times held steady on most products this week following the surge seen in early January, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey

SMU Survey: Few buyers report mills are negotiable on sheet and plate prices

Just over a third of the steel buyers who responded to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are willing to talk price to secure new spot orders.

AISI: Raw steel production rises 0.2%

The volume of raw steel produced by US mills grew last week, holding on to the gains seen the prior week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

SMU Price Ranges: Sheet moves higher, plate stalls

SMU’s sheet price indices climbed to new multi-month highs this week, while plate prices marginally declined.

Apparent steel supply slips in October

The amount of finished steel that entered the US market contracted from September to October, driven primarily by slowing domestic mill shipments, according to SMU’s analysis of Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data

Rig count update: US activity eases, recovers in Canada

The number of oil and gas rigs operating in the US fell this week, while Canadian activity recovered further, according to the latest data released from Baker Hughes.

Steel exports grew to a 7-month high in October

The volume of steel shipped outside of the country increased 11% from September to October 2025 to a seven-month high of 662,000 short tons (st), according to recently released data from the US Department of Commerce.

SMU Price Ranges: Modest sheet increases, plate jumps

The majority of SMU’s sheet and plate price indices rose this week, with multiple products climbing to new multi-month highs

Steel imports remain muted through December

According to recently released final US Commerce Department data, US steel imports rebounded 11% month on month (m/m) in October 2025 after falling to a multi-year low one month earlier. The latest license figures suggest imports eased back by 3% in November and by another 2% in December, with trade again nearing historical lows.

AHRI: Equipment shipments tumbled to nine-year low in November

Shipments of heating and cooling equipment fell for the sixth straight month in November, reaching the lowest rate seen since October 2016, according to the latest data released by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

SMU Survey: Lead times extend across the board

Steel mill lead times increased for both sheet and plate products this week, according to responses from SMU’s latest market survey.

SMU Price Ranges: Sheet and plate prices continue to rise into 2026

Steel sheet and plate prices rose across the board to start the year on limited spot availability at some mills, expectations of higher scrap prices, and hopes of stronger demand in 2026.

AISI: Weekly raw steel mill output ticks up

Domestic raw steel production inched higher last week but remains low compared to recent months, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)

Chicago Business Barometer rebounds in December

The Chicago Business Barometer increased in December after hitting an 18-month low in November, according to Market News International (MNI) and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)

Holiday Notice: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Steel Market Update offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Friday, Jan. 2, for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Rig count update: US activity increases, Canada plunges

The number of oil and gas rigs operating in the US ticked higher this week, while Canadian activity tumbled, according to the latest data released from Baker Hughes.

Global steel production falls to near two-year low in November

The total amount of raw steel produced around the world slipped 3% from October to an estimated 140.1 million metric tons (mt) in November, according to World Steel Association (worldsteel) data. This marks the lowest monthly production rate since December 2023.

AISI: Weekly raw steel mill output ticks lower

Domestic raw steel production edged lower last week, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Apparent steel supply remains strong through September

Apparent steel supply rose to 8.64 million short tons in September, driven primarily by higher domestic mill shipments despite a sharp drop in finished imports.

December energy market update

In this Premium analysis we examine North American oil and natural gas prices, drill rig activity, and crude oil stock levels through December

SMU Price Ranges: Sheet market rising ahead of holidays

Following last week’s pause, SMU’s price indices were overall steady to higher this week, holding at or near multi-month highs.

Steel export volumes weaken in September

Following August’s modest 4% uptick, the volume of steel shipped outside of the country slipped 8% in September to 594,000 short tons, according to recently released data from the US Department of Commerce.