Contributor: David Schollaert

Domestic steel shipments decreased month over month and year on year in February, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices declined this week, a trend again reflected in most offshore markets. Despite similarities, the shifting tariff landscape has made for a wild ride in Q1.

Nucor paused its weekly hot-rolled (HR) coil price this week, keeping it flat for the first time since Jan. 21. This comes after a nine-week rally that saw the company increase prices by double-digits for eight of those weeks.

Nucor aims to increase prices for steel plate by $40 per short ton (st) with the opening of its May order book. The Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker said the increase was effective with new orders received on Friday, March 28, in a letter to customers dated the same day. The company said the price hike applied […]

Anticipation leading up to SMU’s Steel Summit 2025 is already heating up after last year’s record-setting attendance!

US cold-rolled (CR) coil prices increased again this week, while offshore prices declined.

During the chat, we’ll discuss trends in the North American sheet and plate markets, as well as the unique aspects of the Canadian market. We’ll talk all thing tariffs — and the timing couldn’t be better in the wake of Liberation Day on April 2.

The threat of tariffs over the past two months has been a springboard for US prices. But the Section 232 reinstatement on March 13 narrowed the domestic premium over imports on a landed basis.

Steel Market Update is pleased to share this Premium content with Executive members. Contact info@steelmarketupdate.com for information on how to upgrade to a Premium-level subscription. Growth in SMU’s Steel Demand Index eased in March after reaching a four-year high in late February. Despite a moderate gain, the index remains in expansion territory. The Steel Demand […]

Have we hit a bit of a lull when it comes to the recent price bump? Mills certainly capitalized on the threat of tariffs and the unknown, with much that still could unfold.

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 […]

SSAB Americas aims to increase plate prices by at least $60 per short ton (st) ahead of opening their May order book.

US cold-rolled (CR) coil prices moved higher this week, a trend not evenly shared by offshore prices.

Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices were flat this week, a trend mirrored in offshore markets.

After slumping in December to the lowest total since July 2021, February assemblies further expanded on January’s growth.

US light-vehicle (LV) sales increased to an unadjusted 1.22 million units in February, a 9.9% gain over January but 0.7% behind year-ago totals, according to US Bureau of Economic Analysis data.

SDI expects energy, non-residential construction, and automotive to continue to drive demand.

Fully restored Section 232 tariffs on steel on March 12 cut the widening premium US prices had over most imports on a landed basis.

Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices moved higher this week, still largely outpacing increases seen in offshore markets. But the reinstatement of undiluted Section 232 tariffs on steel on March 12 cut the ballooning premium stateside prices had gained on most imports on a landed basis. The premium stateside tags had over prices abroad stood at […]

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) saw moderate growth in February after reaching a record high the month prior, according to the latest data released by Dodge Construction Network. The February DMI rose to 225.6, a 0.7% increase from January’s downwardly revised reading of 223.9 and 27% higher than levels one year prior. “Planning momentum moderated […]

The latest SMU Community Chat webinar reply is now available on our website to all members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the community tab and look under the “previous webinars” section of the dropdown menu. All past Community Chat webinars are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the webinar replay, or if your company […]

US cold-rolled (CR) coil prices continued to rise this week, well ahead of offshore prices. The price spread between stateside-produced CR and imports reached a 14-month high in the week ended March 7. Steady price gains in overseas markets continue to be overshadowed by increases in domestic prices. The result? The US premium over imports […]

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 […]

Domestic hot-rolled (HR) coil prices moved higher this week, widely outpacing increases seen in offshore markets.

Construction spending edged down slightly in January, slipping for the first time in four months. The US Census Bureau estimated spending at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,196 billion in January, down 0.2% from December’s downward revised rate. The January figure is 3.3% higher than a year ago. January’s result, despite the slight erosion, […]

SMU’s 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 flat-rolled survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the […]

Input costs have been driven higher by tighter supplies and restricted flows after a tough winter. Could rising demand from mills fuel an extended rally into Q2? Shredder feed has been strained as shredders try to fill backlogs. And shredded prices could jump by $50 per gross ton (gt) this month, some suggest. It's a similar story with prime grades. That's because industrial generation is down, and hot-rolled coil production is picking up.

US plate prices have moved up at a sharp clip over the past three weeks. The gains come on the heels of a unified mill pricing blitz, bolstered by the threat of looming tariffs and the expectation of sharply higher scrap prices. Prices hit their lowest level in more than four years in late January, […]

The price spread between stateside-produced CR and imports reached its widest margin in over a year.

Hot-rolled (HR) coil prices continued to rally in the US this week, quickly outpacing price gains seen abroad. The result: US hot band prices have grown widely more expensive than imports on a landed basis. The premium US HR tags carry over HR prices abroad now stands at a 14-month high. SMU’s average domestic HR […]