Contributor: Gaby Ain

Gaby Ain

Works as an analyst at Flack Global Metals since September 2023, specializing in demand and supply dynamics to provide valuable insights on the steel industry, as well as the economy to support the research used by Flack Capital Markets in driving effective business strategies.

HRC futures: Market awaits catalyst from a fragile floor

The US hot-rolled coil (HRC) market feels steadier as the 4th quarter begins - not strong, but no longer slipping either.

HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics

As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.

HR Futures: Market blues turn bearish

The cautious neutrality and summertime blues we discussed just a few weeks ago have evolved into something decidedly more bearish.

HR Futures: Summertime blues

Coming out of the holiday market and long weekend, it seems the HRC futures market has caught some post-vacation blues.

Flack: HR futures still on a wild ride

Never a dull moment in today's HR futures market.

HR futures remain sensitive to tariff talk

The speed and scale of recent moves are reminders of just how sensitive HRC futures remain to structural shifts and sentiment cues.

HR Futures: Caution prevailing in the market

The evolution of the U.S. HRC futures curve since my last update on April 17 tells a familiar story: fleeting optimism giving way to renewed caution.

HR Futures: Market at crossroads after turbulent run

The market appears to be pausing after a turbulent run. But tension remains just beneath the surface. With net long positioning still elevated, sentiment-driven selling could quickly reignite volatility. Still, supply constraints and limited imports are laying the groundwork for a resilient physical market. This moment of calm feels more like a crossroads than a conclusion.

HR futures: Waiting for a new trend to emerge

Week over week, the futures curve saw minimal change.

HRC futures: Changing futures dynamics

What a difference a few weeks make…. As this is our first column after the new year, it is quite interesting to observe how different the steel world looks at the end of January vs. the end of December.