Contributor: Michael Cowden

Independent service center Promet Steel Inc. has acquired Heidtman Steel Products' facility in East Chicago, Ind. Terms of the deal, which closed on Dec. 15, were not disclosed.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the US probably won't reduce tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other goods from Canada anytime soon.

Sheet prices mostly ticked higher again this week. And the reasons shouldn’t come as a big surprise to anyone who has been reading SMU lately.

SMU and AMU are pleased to announce that Wells Fargo Managing Director Timna Tanners will be joining us for a Community Chat webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 11 am ET.

There was a palpable sense of optimism among folks at the HARDI conference about demand from data centers. In other words, around the physical infrastructure – which also includes energy transmission - needed to feed the AI boom. The big question: Could demand from data and AI be far stronger than the market yet realizes?

SMU and AMU are pleased to announced that Wells Fargo Managing Director Timna Tanners will be joining us for a Community Chat webinar next Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 11 am ET.

Canadian service center Varsteel Ltd. has acquired Victoria Steel (also known as Acier Victoria) of Victoriaville, Quebec.

U.S. Steel has begun the process of restarting the 'B' blast furnace at its Granite City Works near St. Louis. “After several months of carefully analyzing customer demand, we made the decision to restart a blast furnace,” U.S. Steel President and CEO David B. Burritt said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

It's important to keep in mind - maybe especially for those of us in the US - that the rest of the world can act too. And I think we're already seeing signs of that action, or at least that's been my takeaway from some of SMU's recent reporting and from Community Chat webinars for both SMU and AMU.

A colorful serial entrepreneur, NEMO Industries Co-founder and CEO Daniel Liss is new to steel but not short on potentially transformative ideas.

The price hike parade that got underway in earnest in November looks set to continue in December. And it's been joined by, well, just about everybody.

Please note that SMU has removed the article titled: Alleged transshipment of Chinese steel plate raises red flags in Houston

You might be looking forward to some Black Friday deals. But I wouldn't expect many, at least when it comes to flat-rolled steel.

A colorful serial entrepreneur, NEMO Industries Co-founder and CEO Daniel Liss has done everything from working for Hollywood star Sofia Vergara to building a venture-backed Instagram competitor Dispo. He is new to steel but not short on potentially transformative ideas.

Nucor plans to increase prices for steel plate by $30 per short ton (st). The move coincides with Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker opening its plate orderbook for January.

We’ve been writing a lot about steel prices lately and what might happen with President Trump’s trade and tariff policy. I’d like to take a little break from that today. Instead, I'll focus instead on something I always find exciting and inspiring – namely, new mills.

Sheet prices are in the middle of one of their most sustained rallies since the first quarter, and this time in the absence of any tariff or trade policy shocks.

Edward Meir will be the featured speaker on an AMU and SMU Community Chat on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 11 am ET to discuss the latest market developments and to share his unique insights.

Want to know the latest on Trump, tariffs, and trade policy – and the impact on both steel and aluminum? Join Steel Market Update (SMU), Aluminum Market Update (AMU), and leading law firm Wiley for a Community Chat on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 11 am ET.

Most sheet prices inched up again this week following mill efforts to set a floor under tags and to increase them from there.

Most steel buyers think that steel prices will continue to rise into the 2026. But they don’t see the kinds of big gains that have characterized past market upturns, according to the results of SMU’s latest steel market survey.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday had a much-anticipated meeting. Is it only a hiatus in the trade war, or did it really change the situation? I suspect the former, I but hope for the latter.

Flack Global Metals (FGM) announced Thursday that it would expand into Texas by assuming the Houston operations of NSPS Metals.

Algoma Steel Group Inc. CEO Michael Garcia will retire at the end of the year, the company said on Tuesday. Rajat Marwah, CFO of the Canadian flat-rolled steelmaker, will be appointed president on Nov. 1 and CEO on Jan. 1.

SMU’s hot-rolled coil price increased for a third consecutive week. And the gains were more pronounced this time following a price hike initiated on Friday by NLMK USA.

Atlas Tube, in a leading move, said it aims to increase prices for mechanical tubing, hollow structural sections (HSS), and piling products by at least $50 per short ton (st).

NLMK USA plans to increase prices for hot-rolled and cold-rolled coil by at least $50 per short ton (st). The move is effective immediately for all spot orders, the steelmaker said in a letter to customers on Friday.

Below are some other issues that should be on your radar. Because while prices have been steady, a lot is going on when it comes to news that could impact them.

Want to know the latest on Trump, tariffs, and trade policy - and the impact on both steel and aluminum? Then join SMU, AMU, and leading law firm Wiley for a Community Chat on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 11 am ET.

Our average HR coil price increased $5/short ton from last week, marking a second consecutive week of modest gains. Market participants generally attributed the increase to...