Contributor: David Schollaert

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

SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

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

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."

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

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

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.

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

We just wrapped up another Steel 101 workshop, easily the most hands-on industry workshop on steelmaking and market fundamentals.

Drilling activity increased in both the US and Canada last week, according to the latest oil and gas rig count data released by Baker Hughes.

SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

SMU’s average price for domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil was $800 per short ton (st) this week, up $5/st week on week (w/w). In offshore markets last week, prices were varied.

ncreases through September, according to the latest Baker Hughes rig count data.

Although total HVAC shipments fell in August, YTD volumes remain relatively strong. Nearly 15 million units were produced in the first eight months of the year, the fourth-highest rate in our 19-year data history.

SMU’s average price for domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil was $795 per short ton (st) this week, sideways week on week (w/w). The move was different in offshore markets last week, as prices eased marginally.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) rose more than 3% in September, up for a fifth straight month. The index is now up 33% year-to-date, according to the latest data released by Dodge Construction Network.

SMU’s sheet and plate prices see-sawed this week as hot-rolled (HR) coil prices held their ground while prices for galvanized product slipped.

US raw steel output declined last week after increasing the week prior, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Output has see-sawed from week to week since mid-August. Still, it has remained historically strong over the past four months and has held near multi-year highs since June. Domestic mills […]

Nucor is keeping hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged again this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice issued on Monday, Oct. 6

SMU’s Current Sentiment Index for scrap decreased this month, a move mirrored by our Future Sentiment Index, according to the latest data from our ferrous scrap survey.

SMU’s October ferrous scrap market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

The price gap between stateside hot band and landed offshore product narrowed this week. Still, with the 50% Section 232 tariff, most imports remain much more expensive than domestic material.

SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members.

Following spot market plate price increase notices issued by domestic mills this past week, participants are contemplating the rationale behind the increases and whether they will stick. Some sources anticipate that current market conditions will shift in November and believe the increases may set a new "pricing floor."

Nucor aims to increase prices for steel plate by $60 per short ton with the opening of its November order book.

Nucor is keeping hot-rolled (HR) coil prices unchanged again this week, according to its latest consumer spot price (CSP) notice issued on Monday, Sept. 29.