Nucor Corp. earnings dipped slightly in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter on lower profits from its sheet mills. But the Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker predicted that the trend would reverse in the second quarter – when it expects to post the most profitable quarter in its history. “Our key forward looking […]
I’m writing this Final Thoughts from our first in-person Steel 101 workshop in more than two years. It’s great to see everyone here in Memphis, Tenn. It turns out everyone has legs and feet. We are not all disembodied heads on Zoom or Teams. It’s also great to see so many people at Steel 101. […]
Sheet prices rose modestly across this board this week, following slight declines seen last week. Steel Market Update’s check of the market puts benchmark hot-rolled coil prices at $1,480 per ton, up $30 per ton from one week prior. Coated and plate products saw increases as well, moving upwards between $10 and $40 per ton […]
Total mill shipments of steel products fell for the second straight month in February to 7.655 million tons, a 6.1% decline from January’s 8.153 million tons. Apparent supply also fell in February, down 12.1% versus the prior month, falling repeatedly and unable to maintain the momentum seen during the final quarter of 2021. This analysis is based […]
I shouldn’t say put a fork in this market and call it done. It’s probably too early for that. But some of the anecdotal indicators I mentioned last week are increasingly showing up in the data we and others collect. Take a look at today’s issue: Lead times are still rising, for the most part. […]
The competitive advantage foreign import prices hold over domestic steel is relatively unchanged from our previous update, with most prices moving just $10-$20 from last week, according to SMU’s latest foreign versus domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) price comparison. Select foreign HRC prices range from $305 per ton cheaper than domestic prices to $27 per ton more expensive, […]
The firm grip mills have held on price negotiations remains but may be softening, according to buyers polled in our latest market survey. Every two weeks, SMU asks respondents: Are you finding domestic mills willing to negotiate spot pricing on new orders placed this week? On average this week, three out of four steel buyers reported that mills are […]
Sheet and plate prices are flat or modestly down. I didn’t expect to write that this week. But the data we collected and our methodology indicated that it was the right decision. I’ve had a lot of experience with pricing over the years. And in my experience, that data often moves before the words. In […]
Sheet prices were flat or fell modestly across this board this week for the first time since late February. Case in point: SMU’s average hot-rolled coil price slipped to $1,450 per ton, down $10 per ton from last week. The decline, while negligible in absolute terms, marks the first time HRC prices have not risen […]
Despite economic and geopolitical headwinds, there remains tremendous opportunity for steel and industrial metals distribution, Ryerson president and CEO Eddie Lehner during the most recent Steel Market Update Community Chat webinar. There might be debate over where rising finished steel prices will settle. But gone are the days of hot-rolled coil averaging around $600 per ton ($30 […]
My car was sideswiped recently – a parked car is hard to avoid, apparently – and I thought a silver lining might be that I could do my little part to keep North America’s scrap reservoir full. A quarter panel, maybe even a door. Instead, I am still driving around in that scrap (and probably […]
Steel prices rose again this week on continued strong demand (outside of automotive). But hot-rolled coil price gains moderated for the second week in a row. SMU’s benchmark hot-rolled coil price rose to $1,460 per ton this week, up $25 per ton from $1,435 per ton last week and marking the smallest week-over-week gain since […]
Mexican flat-rolled steelmaker Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) has restarted its No. 5 blast furnace following a planned two-week upgrade outage, a company spokesman said. The 130 million pesos ($6.5 million) investment included upgrades to its continuous caster, coking plant ovens, service areas, and loading systems. Maintenance to AHMSA’S No. 5 blast furnace – its […]
The US Department of Commerce has decided to continue countervailing duties of 4.35 percent on cut-to-length steel plate from South Korea. “Commerce determines that revocation of the (duty) Order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of countervailable subsidies,” according to an entry in the Federal Register dated Friday, April 1, 2022. The decision stems […]
Steel prices rose each week in March, and the increases were the first in six months. Hot rolled prices were down to $1,000 per ton ($50 per cwt) the first week of March, the lowest level seen since December 2020. Prices then surged $435 per ton throughout the month, with the SMU index averaging $1,435 per ton […]
Sheet prices continue to rise with new, higher offers from some domestic mills: as much as $1,500 per ton for hot-rolled coil and $1,900 per ton for cold-rolled and coated product. Despite those higher pricing levels, gains on the hot-rolled side have moderated. SMU’s benchmark hot-rolled coil price now stands at $1,435 per ton ($71.75 […]
The US Commerce Department has decided to continue anti-dumping duties on cut-to-length plate from a dozen nations. It has also determined that countervailing duties – more than 250% – on plate from China should remain in place. The Sun Doesn’t Set on Steel Duties Those decisions follow an expedited “sunset” review that began on December […]
The market has worked itself into a frenzy about rising costs: for fuel, for labor, and for raw materials. All that translates into sharply higher prices for steel. There is a good case to be made that these factors – especially when it comes to fuel and raw materials – won’t go away anytime soon […]
Producer prices rose moderately in February, maintaining a sustained 23-month growth run. Last month the headline index grew by just 0.8%, seasonally adjusted, but was a gain of 10% when compared to the same year-ago period, reports the U.S. Labor Department. Wholesale prices accelerated as steady consumer demand and pandemic-related supply-chain snarls continued to fuel […]
Steel prices continued to shoot upward at a breakneck pace as mills raced to keep ahead of spiraling raw material costs. Supply chain shocks caused by Russian forces’ invasion of Ukraine have led to higher pig iron prices, expectations of big gains in scrap prices next month – and all that comes on top of already […]
Canadian Pacific is engaged in a “structured shutdown” of its train operations across Canada after negotiations between the company and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) soured. Each side blamed the other for the work stoppage. “The TCRC is well aware of the damage this reckless action will cause to the Canadian supply chain,” CP […]
Nucor aims to increase base prices for steel sheet by at least $125 per ton ($6.25 per cwt) effective immediately. “We reserve the right to review and re-quote any offers that are not confirmed with either a Nucor sales acknowledgement or written acceptance by both parties,” the company said in a letter to customers dated […]
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) expects modestly higher first-quarter earnings despite lower average flat-rolled steel selling prices over the last three months. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based steelmaker expects earnings of $5.55-5.59 per diluted share in the first quarter, according to figures released after the close of markets on Wednesday, March 16. That’s up from $5.49 per […]
Sheet prices saw their biggest week-over-week gains – and by a wide margin – since Steel Market Update’s foundation in 2008. Case in point: SMU’s average hot-rolled coil price jumped to $1,260 per ton this week ($63 per cwt), up $210 per ton (20%) from $1,050 per ton last week. That is more than double […]
Sheet prices saw their biggest week-over-week gains – and by a wide margin – since Steel Market Update’s foundation in 2008. Case in point: SMU’s average hot-rolled coil price jumped to $1,260 per ton this week ($63 per cwt), up $210 per ton (20%) from $1,050 per ton last week. That is more than double […]
Total mill shipments of steel products fell in January to 8.153 million tons, a 9.4% decline from December’s 8.995 million tons, 2021’s strongest monthly performance. Apparent supply also fell in January, down 7.6% versus the prior month, and unable to keep the upward trajectory seen during the final quarter of 2021. This analysis is based on steel […]
Steel Market Update’s hot-rolled coil price was at $1,050 per ton ($52.50 per hundredweight) last week. Several mills are now offering hot band at $1,200 per ton ($60 per cwt). I don’t know where things will settle when we adjust prices on Tuesday. But I think it’s fair to say that prices will be significantly […]
SSAB Americas will put in place a raw material surcharge (RMS) in response to skyrocketing raw material costs. The Mobile, Ala.-based steelmaker said the move was necessary because of “extraordinary market pressures brought on by recent global events,” in a letter to customers dated Wednesday, March 9. The global events in question are almost certainly a reference to […]
It seems all the swans are black now. First we had a pandemic. Now war. You don’t need a reminder from SMU on the terrible human suffering caused by each. When it comes to steel, the result is higher raw material costs and higher prices. Pricing levels that were unimaginable a month ago, when it […]
Hot-rolled coil prices are up an average up $50 per ton ($2.50 per cwt) this week, breaking a six-month trend of flat or falling prices. And that gain might prove modest compared to what’s in store in the weeks ahead. Why? Because the war in Ukraine has the potential to shock the steel market at […]