The outlook for the construction industry is relatively optimistic, despite the uncertain state of the overall economy, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Simonson, who chatted with SMU chief editor Michael Cowden on the March 22 SMU Community Chat, provided the most recent data covering many aspects […]
Foreign cold-rolled coil’s (CRC) pricing advantage over domestic product widened this past week as US prices rose further in response to continued mill tag hikes, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis of the CRC market. The move continues to widen the gap between US and offshore cold-rolled. Longer lead times […]
The LME aluminum three-month price steadied this week despite a whirlwind of upsetting news, finding its footing near $2,300 per metric ton. That’s below the $2,500-per-ton mark we saw as 2023 opened on a more optimistic tone. The recent news from across the geopolitical and macroeconomic scene has dampened demand sentiment in the near term. […]
The failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and acquisition of Credit Suisse are unlikely to cause severe financial disturbance on the scale of the global financial crisis (GFC). However, these events further amplify the probability of recession in the US and Europe, and they have certainly got the market talking about whether a new GFC […]
I referred to the fast-paced mill price increase announcements for HR back on March 9. The HR spot index had just moved up over $100 per short ton (ST) from the prior week to set the monthly contract price at $1,017/ST. HR spot indexes have continued to move higher albeit at a slower pace. Hot Rolled […]
I referred to the fast-paced mill price increase announcements for HR back on March 9. The HR spot index had just moved up over $100 per short ton (ST) from the prior week to set the monthly contract price at $1,017/ST. HR spot indexes have continued to move higher albeit at a slower pace. Hot Rolled […]
SMU polled steel buyers on a variety of subjects on Monday and Tuesday of this week, including current and future steel prices, inventory strategies, supply, demand, and new mill capacity. Rather than summarizing the comments we received, we are sharing some of them in each buyer’s own words. We want to hear your thoughts, too! […]
The appeal for imports of hot-rolled coil (HRC) continues to grow as US prices move higher in response to repeated mill tag hikes. The price advantage domestic HRC had enjoyed over offshore just last month has swung negative at an accelerated rate, according to SMU’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis. The most recent pricing […]
The macro environment in the US has proven to be extremely volatile and continues to change on a month-by-month and sometimes even week-by-week basis. Last year ended with worries about an incoming recession as the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to slow the economy. As 2023 opened and year-end economic data trickled in, the figures were […]
Imports of cold-rolled coil (CRC) extended their pricing advantage over domestic product as US mills continued to drive prices higher, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis of the CRC market. US mills have announced multiple rounds of price increases since the beginning of the year, widening the gap between US […]
The CRU metallics price indicator (CRUmpi) for March increased by 7.4% month-on-month to 357.7, the highest level since last June. The main developments have been in Turkey, where the tragic earthquake initially had a negative effect on scrap buying from the largest scrap importing country, though in the second half of February this quickly turned […]
Editor’s note: SMU Contributor David Feldstein is president of Rock Trading Advisors. Rock provides customers attached to the steel industry with commodity price risk management services and market intelligence. RTA is registered with the National Futures Association as a Commodity Trade Advisor. David has over 20 years of professional trading experience and has been active […]
Imports of hot-rolled coil (HRC) are becoming more attractive as US mills continue to drive domestic prices higher. The price advantage domestic HRC had enjoyed over offshore hot band as recently as five weeks ago swung negative, mirroring dynamics seen more than a year ago, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price […]
We are less than a month away from our LIVE Steel 101: An Introduction to Steelmaking and Market Fundamentals training course, to be hosted in Cleveland on April 11-12. The workshop will include a guided tour of the Cleveland-Cliffs mill, in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Attendees will be able to see firsthand all stages of production at […]
The LME aluminium three-month price eased lower again last week and was seen trading Friday at around $2,300 per tonne. Still below the high mark for 2023, recent news from the macroeconomic scene has dampened demand sentiment and prices accordingly. Market participants awaited Jerome Powell’s semi-annual congressional testimony, with Friday’s focus the nonfarm payrolls report. […]
By CRU Senior Analyst, Puneet Paliwal, from CRU’s Scrap, DRI/HBI & Pig Iron Monitor The CRU metallics price indicator (CRUmpi) for March rose by 7.4% month on month (MoM), to 357.7, which is its highest value since June 2022. Strong Turkish buying of scrap and pig iron since the second half of February is the key […]
The price advantage domestic cold-rolled coil (CRC) had recently enjoyed over imported steel was short-lived, as US mills continue to drive prices higher, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis of the CRC market. Repeated mill price hikes through February and into March has seen the US CRC price advantage over foreign […]
The price advantage domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) had enjoyed over offshore hot band has evaporated as US mills drive prices higher, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis. Nucor and ArcelorMittal last week announced a target price $1,150 per ton ($57.50 per cwt) for HRC. Market contacts have told SMU that some […]
We’ve just seen the biggest week-over-week increase in hot-rolled coil prices since the frenzy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. SMU’s hot-rolled coil (HRC) price is up $140 per ton ($7 per cwt) week over week. That’s our biggest such gain since prices jumped $210 per ton in mid-March of last year at the height of […]
By CRU Research Analyst Rosy Finlayson, from CRU’s Steelmaking Raw Materials Monitor Last week, trading activity in the Turkish scrap import market was limited. Buyers held off on purchasing material as they awaited details on the announcement of a finished steel price cap agreement between the Turkish Trade Ministry and steelmakers. However, deals done late […]
Despite the economic concerns that lowered consumer sentiment towards the end of 2022, aluminum products demand has held up throughout the first three months of the year. A slowdown from the frenetic post-pandemic pace is apparent. Overall, though, both rollers and extruders comment that conditions are better than expected. The new order index as released […]
Mexico has historically relied on steel sheet product imports to meet its demand as domestic suppliers, such as Ternium and AHMSA, had insufficient production capacity. But, in recent years, both Ternium and ArcelorMittal have built new capacities for hot-rolled (HR) coil in Mexico. Ternium is also in the process of building more downstream capacity and […]
Editor’s note: SMU Contributor Michael D’Angelo is a researcher and trader at Marex. In his role, Mike performs fundamental and quantitative analysis, which directly leads to actionable trading/risk management strategies across the base, precious, and ferrous metals derivative spaces. Prior to joining Marex, Mike received a BA in economics with a minor in finance from […]
Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) continues to lose its price advantage over imported steel. The reason: US prices continued to move higher following a wave of domestic mill price hikes that began after Thanksgiving and reached a fever pitch in February with near weekly price increases. US HRC had held a price advantage over foreign hot […]
On the morning of Feb. 24, the White House issued a proclamation to adjust aluminum imports and taking further action under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Following the guidance of the Secretary of Commerce, the president issued an order adding a 200% duty to Russian metal coming into the US. Imported […]
Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) lost its competitive price advantage over imported steel, ending a 16-week run. The turn came as domestic mills continue to drive prices up at a faster clip than mills overseas, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis. US HRC is approximately 3% more expensive than foreign prices […]
Canadian miner Teck Resources plans to divide into base metals-focused Teck Metals and metallurgical coal miner Elk Valley Resources (EVR). “This transformative transaction creates two strong, sustainable, world-class mining companies committed to responsibly providing essential resources the world needs,” said CEO Jonathan Price. “Both Teck Metals and EVR have high-quality operating assets and strong financial […]
As US sheet prices continue the rally that began in late November, overall import levels remain relatively low. But lead times have extended and so too have mill asking prices. US mills are now asking for $900 per short ton ($45 per cwt) for hot-rolled coil. Market contacts in Europe note that exports from India […]
There is still a debate on whether the US will enter into a recession during 2023. The beginning of the year has been slower, but overall end-use demand has been holding up relatively well. The mid-part of the year, Q2-Q3, is where most forecasts peg a downturn. Therefore, perhaps the largest challenges are still looming. […]
Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) kept its competitive price advantage over imported steel – now on a 16-week run. However, it has continued to lose momentum over the past four weeks, according to Steel Market Update’s latest foreign vs. domestic price analysis. US HRC is approximately 2.2% cheaper than foreign prices this week, down from 3.4% […]