Contributor: David Schollaert

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

AISI: Weekly raw steel production ticks back up

Domestic steel production improved last week, according to the latest figures from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Nucor ups HR spot price by $5/ton

Nucor increased its weekly hot-rolled coil spot list price by $5 per short ton (st) on Monday, Nov. 24. This was its fifth increase in as many weeks.

Price gap between US HRC, imports narrows

The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product shrank week over week (w/w).

SMU Steel Demand Index falls back, remains in contraction

The SMU Steel Demand Index slackened from late October, remaining below expansion territory, according to SMU's mid-November indicators.

SMU Mill Order Index jumped in October

SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) surged in October after a notable decline the month prior. The recovery came as service center on order inventory totals picked up, supported by a slight uptick in shipments, according to our latest service center inventories data.

AISI: Weekly raw steel production ticks down

Domestic steel production dipped last week, but was still above the year-to-date weekly average and the same week a year earlier.

October service center shipments and inventories report

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply edged lower for the third straight month, reaching 53.3 shipping days of supply on an adjusted basis at the end of October, according to SMU data.

Nucor ups HR coil prices by $15/ton to $910/ton

Nucor has increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil for a fourth consecutive week. Now at $910 per short ton (st), up $15/st from last week.

US rig count ticks higher, Canada falls

The latest Baker Hughes rig count report showed oil and gas drilling improved in the US this past week, while Canada saw its rig count decline.

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. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]

Gap between US HR prices and imports widens slightly

The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product has marginally widened week over week.

JSW increases plate prices by $40/ton

JSW Steel USA aims to increase steel plate prices by at least $40/short ton.

Nucor increases HR spot price by $5/ton

Nucor increased its weekly hot-rolled coil spot list price by $5 per short ton on Monday, Nov. 10.

Dodge Momentum Index slides in October

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) fell more than 7% in October, sliding for the first time in six months. Still, the index is up 35% year-to-date, according to the latest data released by Dodge Construction Network.

US and Canadian rig counts tick higher

The latest Baker Hughes rig count report showed oil and gas drilling improved in both the US and Canada in the first week of November.

SMU scrap market survey results now available

SMU’s November ferrous scrap 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 “ferrous scrap survey” results. Past scrap survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey […]

Gap between US HR prices and imports narrows

The gap between US hot band prices and imports narrowed slightly. But with the 50% Section 232 tariffs, most imports remain more expensive than domestic material.

AM Dofasco and Stelco push sheet prices up, Atlas Tube follows

ArcelorMittal Dofasco and Stelco joined recent moves by US mills to push sheet prices higher.

Chicago Business Barometer improves but still contracts in October

The Chicago Business Barometer’s October reading still indicates a cooling in general business activity despite posting a surprise gain.

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 Steel Demand Index improves but remains in contraction

SMU’s Steel Demand Index remains in contraction, according to late October indicators. Though growth faded at a slower pace, it rebounded from one of the lowest readings year-to-date from earlier in the month.

SMU Mill Order Index fell in September

SMU’s Mill Order Index declined in September after repeated gains from June through August. The shift came as service center shipping rates and inventories fell.

North American auto assemblies slipped in September

North American auto assemblies declined in September, down 5.1% vs. August. And assemblies were also down 1% year on year.

Cliffs, POSCO announce MoU for 'transformative' partnership

Cleveland-Cliffs on Thursday said it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with POSCO to forge a strategic partnership, one Cliffs bills as "transformative."

Price gap between US HRC, most imports narrows slightly

In dollar-per-ton terms, US product is on average $141/st less than landed import prices (inclusive of the 50% tariff). That’s down from $148/st last week.

Nucor lifts HR spot price by $10/ton

Nucor has raised its weekly spot list price on hot-rolled coil by $10 per short ton (st) after keeping it unchanged since Aug. 25.

Gap between US HR prices and imports widens

SMU’s average price for domestic HR coil moved $5 higher this week, while price movements in offshore markets varied. This dynamic...

AIA: Architecture firms see conditions worsening

Architecture firms reported a cut in billings through September as business conditions waned, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) release from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.

Final Thoughts: Survey says edition

It's can-kicking at its finest. And it’s been drawn out! Some are getting so good at it, they’re kicking cans and taking names.

Nucor HR spot price flat at $875/ton

Nucor kept its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil at $875 per short ton (st) for the ninth straight week.