Tag: Domestic Steel

The volume of finished steel that entered the US market eased 1% from August to September and held near a historically strong rate, according to SMU’s analysis of recently released Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Referred to as “apparent steel supply,” this measure is calculated by combining domestic mill shipments and finished US steel imports, then subtracting total US exports. It can be used as a proxy for domestic steel demand. Supply totaled 9.11 million short tons (st) in September, the fourth-highest rate recorded in the past four years. Supply has remained historically strong since May, when it surpassed the 9 million st mark for the first time in four years

Following the multi-year high recorded one week earlier, domestic raw steel output receded back down to typical levels this week, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. Aside from a few blips in recent months, production has trended lower since peaking in May, though it remains historically strong compared to recent years. Total US raw steel mill output was estimated at 1,778,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Nov. 7 (Figure 1). Production was down 275,000 st (13.4%) from the prior week, driven primarily by a sharp reduction in output from the Southern region. This year we have seen weekly production rise as high as 2,053,000 st (last week, an 18-year high) and as low as 1,704,000 st (the first week of the year).

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events. We are sharing a selection of the comments we received below, in each buyer’s own words. Before diving in, we reviewed all the responses collected and compiled these key takeaways: Respondents overwhelmingly anticipate further increases. Buyers cite limited supply, mill delays, low inventories, and steady-to-strong demand. Most say demand is generally stable to improving, with some purchasing driven by fears of higher prices or unavailable material rather than stronger underlying consumption. Most respondents report faster inventory turnover, while shortages are constraining sales and, in some cases, prompting customer allocations. Buyers increasingly see imports as a way to secure scarce material, though domestic-origin requirements, delivery timing, and pricing risks remain obstacles.

Domestic raw steel production surged last week, reaching its highest output in almost two decades, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. While the seesaw pattern continued for US production this past week, production swelled to its highest reading since Aug. 23, 2008, driven by a massive swing in the South. The increase reversed the recent downward trend, with a sharp rebound in the South accounting for nearly all the weekly gain. Production has fluctuated considerably over the past two months, reaching both an 18-year high and its lowest level since January.

Domestic raw steel production fell last week, dropping to the lowest output since January, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. The seesaw pattern continued for US production this past week, maintaining a trend seen for the past few months. Fluctuations have been so significant that in just the past two months, output has hit both a six-year high and a six-month low. And despite the week-to-week variations, output has mostly trended lower. Still, despite that overall decline, output to date in 2026 remains strong compared with recent years. AISI estimated total US raw steel mill output to be 1,774,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Oct. 24 (Figure 1). Production was 96,000 st (5.1%) below the prior week, driven by cuts in two of the five regions tracked by AISI.

The majority of buyers SMU polled this week expect prices to continue rising from here, supported by limited supply. Demand is said to be strong, with most remarking that it is stable to improving. Most say inventories are moving faster this year than last, attributed to tight supply, late mill deliveries, and generally leaner supply chains. Imports continue to appeal to many buyers on both price and availability, but lead times, tariffs, and other risks remain. Buyers are split on whether President Trump’s tariff policies are helping their businesses and whether they’re seeing manufacturing reshoring.

Domestic raw steel recovered last week, improving for the first time in three weeks, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. Over the past four months, however, US production has fluctuated significantly. In just the past six weeks, output has hit both a six-year high and a six-month low. While there […]

The volume of finished steel that entered the US market increased 1% from July to August to the second-highest monthly level recorded in the past four years, according to SMU’s analysis of recently released Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute data. Apparent steel supply is calculated by combining domestic mill shipments and finished US steel imports, then subtracting total US exports. It can be used as a proxy for domestic steel demand. Supply has remained historically strong since May, when it surpassed the 9 million st mark it had previously been beneath for four years.

Domestic mills shipped roughly the same amount of steel in August as they did in July, according to the latest figures from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). US mills shipped 8,220,544 short tons (st) in August, up marginally from 8,219,549 in July, AISI said. But while the month-over-month (m/m) comparison was roughly flat, year-over-year (y/y) comparisons point to a significant increase in domestic shipments.

Domestic raw steel output declined last week, moving lower for a second straight week after seeing notable swings over the prior several weeks, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. Over the past six weeks, US production has fluctuated significantly, hitting a multi-year high and a six-month low. While the seesaw pattern has been extreme, output has mostly trended lower since peaking in May. And despite repeated declines in recent weeks, output remains strong compared to recent years. AISI estimated total US raw steel mill output to be 1,769,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Oct. 10 (Figure 1). Production was down 5,000 st (0.3%) from the prior week, driven by a decline in just one of five regions. So far this year, we have seen weekly production rise as high as 1,900,000 st in early September (a six-year high) and fall as low as 1,704,000 st at the start of the year.

Domestic raw steel output declined last week, after seeing continued swings over the past several weeks, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.

Domestic raw steel output recovered after seeing significant swings in the prior two weeks, according to the latest AISI figures.

Domestic raw steel output fell to a six-month low last week after hitting a multi-year high one week earlier, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.

Apparent steel supply eased 2% from June to July but remained at one of the higher levels recorded in recent years, according to SMU’s analysis of recently released Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. This measure is calculated by combining domestic mill shipments and finished US steel imports, then subtracting total US exports. It can also be used as a proxy for domestic steel demand.

Total US raw steel mill output declined last week to the lowest rate seen since March, according to the latest figures published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production has trended lower since peaking in May but remains historically strong.

Domestic steel production declined last week to the lowest weekly measure recorded since March, according to recently published American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. Although down, production has been historically strong for most of this year. This year we have seen weekly production levels as high as 1,898,000 st in May (six-year high) and as low as 1,704,000 st in the first week of the year.

SMU’s average price for domestic hot rolled (HR) rose to $1,200 per short ton (st) week on week (w/w). In offshore markets, prices also rose, outpacing stateside gains.

US raw steel production increased last week, further recovering from the four-month low seen in early August, according to recently published American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Production has been historically strong for most of this year.

SMU’s average price for domestic hot rolled (HR) rose to $1,195 per short ton (st) week on week (w/w). In offshore markets, prices saw a more controlled rise.

Domestic raw steel production rose by 13,000 short tons (st) last week, a marginal recovery from the four-month low set one week prior, according to recently published American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.

Apparent steel supply rose 3% from May to June to the highest rate recorded in over four years, according to recent Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. June’s supply increased to 9.31 million short tons, driven primarily by higher domestic shipments, and partly offset by lower finished imports and increased exports.

Ford Motor Co. announced it will reshore production of Lincoln-brand vehicles as part of its commitment to American manufacturing. The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker said it will phase out the importation of vehicles from China for the US market and increase domestic Lincoln production starting in 2030.

SMU’s average price for domestic hot rolled was unchanged week on week at $1,180 per short ton. In offshore markets, prices mainly moved up.

The amount of raw steel produced by US mills declined last week to the lowest rate recorded in over four months, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Domestic production has been historically strong for over five months now, recently touching a six-year high.

SMU’s average price for domestic HR rose to $1,180 per short ton (st) this week, $15/st higher vs. the prior week. In offshore markets last week, prices mainly moved up.

June US steel mill shipments jumped 4.8% from May and 8.7% from June last year.

The amount of raw steel produced by US mills increased last week to the highest rate recorded since early June. Domestic production has been historically strong for over five months now.

The decisive factor remains the 50% Section 232 tariffs. Still, imports from Europe remain largely near parity with domestic material, while Southeast Asian products are at a considerable discount.

Domestic steel mill output increased last week and remained historically strong, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.

Total US raw steel mill output declined last week to the lowest rate seen since April, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures