Tight steel availability and lean inventories are increasing pressure on US service centers, according to speakers on a service center panel on Wednesday, August 26, at the SMU Steel Summit 2026.
SMU’s Mill Order Index (MOI) grew further in July, up for a third straight month. The result came as service center on-order volumes and new order entries accelerated, according to our latest service center inventories data.
Premium Report: US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply rose marginally in July, reversing course for the first time all year. Shipping days of supply ticked up to 45.6, according to SMU data. Service center shipments in were more than 4% below intake, noticeably trailing inbound volumes.
Lindsay Goldberg, a private investment firm specializing in family-owned and founder-led businesses, will make a significant strategic investment in Alro Steel.
Russel Metals posted record quarterly revenues and shipments in the second quarter, boosted by strong market conditions and the integration of seven Kloeckner Metals Co. facilities.
SPS Companies has acquired Jemison Metals, a carbon flat-roll service center and fabricator headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., from Jemison Investment Company.
Ryerson's profits skyrocketed in the second quarter as company executives touted the initial results following the integration of Olympic Steel.
Privately owned service center group Triple-S Steel has announced its acquisition of Camden Yards Steel Co., effective July 21.
Reliance Inc said that US government industrial policies contributed to its second-quarter financial success.
Strong steel prices and elevated interest rates may be reshaping the competitive landscape among metals distributors.
Reliance Inc.'s earnings improved in the second quarter, boosted by a US government project for the border wall with Mexico.
Spot market absorbs price hikes amidst booming plate demand
Some hot-rolled coil market participants said they're optimistic that the market will remain strong throughout the rest of the year.
US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply was down marginally in June, and lower for a sixth straight month. Shipping days of supply slipped to 44.5, according to SMU data.
Worthington Steel has opened the acceptance period for its public delisting tender offer for all outstanding Kloeckner & Co SE shares.
If a trend of flat lead times holds, it would represent a change. And we’ve also seen a few of the other indicators we track slip from historic highs – so the potential shift is worth paying attention to.
Canada’s Varsteel Ltd. has acquired Acier Quebec-Maritimes Inc., a steel and aluminum service center in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec.
Limited spot product and extended lead times continue to characterize the domestic plate market, prolonging upward price pressure.
Target Steel and Target Metal Blanking are expanding into Mexico.
North American steel buyers are navigating a market where demand is firming, but import activity remains cautious. Buyers reported mixed import activity in SMU’s June 26 flat-rolled steel buyers’ survey.
Flack Global Metals (FGM) has consolidated Pacesetter Steel Service under the FGM brand, finalizing the group’s formal transition, the company said on Friday.
Some hot-rolled coil buyers expect continued incremental price increases from domestic mills. Others expect steeper increases, even if it risks inviting imports.
During Worthington Steel’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call on June 25, company executives cited interest rates as a market headwind.
Worthington Steel swung to a loss in its fiscal fourth quarter as the company completed its acquisition of Germany-based Kloeckner & Co.
Participants in the domestic plate market anticipate incoming price notifications before the end of the month, SMU learned in recent conversations.
Galvanized sheet buyers and distributors report that strong demand and constrained supply persist, exerting upward pressure on prices.
Leeco Steel has announced changes to two regional operational manager positions.
A profile of Hascall Steel's Ava Hascall.
Hot-rolled coil market participants report little disruption to their contact volumes, finding timely spot HR proved less straightforward, some sources told SMU.
The US HRC futures curve has continued to move higher, particularly in the deferred months, suggesting the market is pricing a slower return to balance.