Contributor: David Schollaert

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR/HRC) and landed offshore product remained largely flat again this week, as price movements stateside and abroad mirrored each other.

The total amount of raw steel produced around the world recovered 5.5% from December to an estimated 147.3 million metric tons in January, according worldsteel.

Total construction starts edged up 0.7% in January to an annualized rate of $1.24 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network.

SMU’s Steel Demand Index slipped from earlier in the month, but remains above expansion territory, according to late-February indicators.

North American auto assemblies recovered in January, up nearly 12% vs. December, though down more than 2% year on year (y/y), according to GlobalData.

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $990 per short ton (st), up $10/st from last week.

The latest Baker Hughes rig count report shows steady drilling for oil and gas in the US, while drilling in Canada improved slightly.

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

SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) rose again in January, maintaining momentum from the month prior. The increase came as service center intake levels ticked up, supported by a jump in shipments, according to our latest service center inventories data.

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined in January, after trending higher in December. Shipping days of supply slipped to 58.5 on an adjusted basis at the end of January, according to SMU data.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR/HRC) and landed offshore product was largely flat this week, as price movements stateside and abroad mirrored each other. Still, the premium for US hot band over imports has remained in a relatively tight band since early December.

AZZ Inc. expects steady top-line growth and improved annual earnings, capitalizing on new capacity ramp-up and strong downstream demand.

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $975 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week.

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) fell 6.2% in January to 272.7, retreating from December’s downwardly revised reading of 291.0, according to the latest data released by Dodge Construction Network.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil and landed offshore product narrowed this week, as price movements stateside and abroad diverged.

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 […]

The United Auto Workers (UAW) and Volkswagen have reached a tentative agreement covering 3,200 workers at the automaker's Chattanooga, Tenn., assembly plant.

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

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $970 per short ton, up $5/st from last week.

With just 10 days to go and nearing the final countdown, we are just shy of 600 registered (and counting) so far for the 37th annual Tampa Steel Conference.

The Chicago Business Barometer rose further in January, moving into expansion territory for the first time since November 2023, said MNI and ISM.

A coalition of US steel industry CEOs has formally urged President Trump to maintain—and fully enforce—current Section 232 tariffs on steel and steel‑containing goods.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil and landed offshore product inched higher, even as prices stateside and abroad mostly moved in tandem vs. last week.

Alton Steel Inc. (ASI), a special bar quality (SBQ) steel producer, said it will close operations later this week.

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $965 per short ton (st), up $5/st vs. the prior week.

A trip to Tampa is the perfect remedy for the winter blues. The 37th annual Tampa Steel Conference will bring together executives from across the steel supply chain, as well as leading analysts and policy experts.

The total amount of raw steel produced around the world slipped 0.4% from November to an estimated 139.6 million metric tons (mt) in December, according worldsteel data.

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

Architecture firms across the US continued to face weak business conditions through the end of 2025, as economic conditions added to the uncertainty, said AIA.

The price gap between US hot-rolled coil (HR) and landed offshore product has been relatively flat to begin the year.