Tag: US

Plate market sources say the week has been quiet, but that overall, business remains consistent.

As spot prices for hot- and cold-rolled coils edge higher, mill capacity utilization rates hover below 80%, raising concern among some market participants.  

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) said architecture billings showed signs of stabilizing in February, with the headline index reading coming in just below 50.

US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply declined for a second consecutive month in February, with shipping days of supply slipping to 52.2 on an adjusted basis, according to SMU data.

The office of the US Trade Representative has opened a major Section 301 investigation into structural excess capacity across global manufacturing, with steel and aluminum at the center of the inquiry.

Domestic plate market participants expressed confidence in the overall improvement of market conditions this week.  

Worthington Steel reduced its minimum acceptance threshold to 57.5% for its purchase of Kloeckner & Co.  

Serviacero USA is set to establish its first US manufacturing operation after purchasing a rail-served site at the Gulf Inland Logistics Park in Houston.

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $1,010 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week. 

Participants in the US hot- and cold-rolled sheet market cautiously called the week a win as prices inched north and demand picked up.  

Plate sources say they’re welcoming imports as domestic mill delivery delays, extended lead times, and climbing prices make fully adopting US-produced plate products unrealistic.  

Mexico’s Secretary of Economy is conducting ‘Operation Clean-Up,” inspecting suspicious steel companies to verify compliance with rules of origin.

Economic activity across the US increased at a light-to-modest pace in seven of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts, according to the US Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report.  

The American Metals Supply Chain Institute (AMSCI) said increasing insurance premiums, potential vessel diversions, and contractual risk evaluations began in the global freight market as geopolitical conflict escalates in the Persian Gulf region.  

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes reached 2 million short tons in January. 

US hot-rolled coil prices are set to rise year on year in 2026, but the market will face heightened volatility as import flows recover and new domestic capacity comes online, CRU Research Principal Josh Spoores said at this year's Tampa Steel Conference. 

SMU sits down with JSW Steel USA CEO Rob Simon.

Leaders of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) and the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) used this year's Tampa Steel Conference to outline the North American steel industry's central challenges: growing pressures, tariff realignments, and the upcoming USMCA review.

Steelforce Packaging restructured its North American operations into an entity it now calls Steelforce America. Brion S. Talley will lead Steelforce America as its CEO.

North American auto assemblies recovered in January, up nearly 12% vs. December, though down more than 2% year on year (y/y), according to GlobalData.

The wait for an answer is finally over (sort of). In a six-to-three decision, the Supreme Court invalidated the Administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs.

Global steel plate prices are expected to trend upward as North American restocking and European regulatory costs will drive the market, even as recovery in Asian markets remains gradual and cost-dependent.

The latest Baker Hughes rig count report shows steady drilling for oil and gas in the US, while drilling in Canada improved slightly.

Ternium SA closed 2025 under pressure from lower steel prices and softer shipments. But the Latin American steelmaker expects both volumes and margins to improve early in 2026 as Mexico’s trade defenses tighten and US tariff uncertainty begins to settle.

Once wintery weather gives way to sunnier spring conditions, plate sources foresee the market accepting the $50-60 per short ton spot price increases issued by Nucor Plate Group, Oregon Steel Mills, and SSAB. 

As referenced in Michael Cowden's last Final Thoughts, Mexico has opened a formal investigation into cold-rolled steel imports from the US, China, and Malaysia. Here are the details.

The chief executives at Worthington Steel and Kloeckner Metals weren’t coy about hitting aggressive near-term financial targets in their fireside chat at the Tampa Steel Conference last week.  

The US House of Representatives voted on a resolution on Wednesday, Feb. 11, to disapprove of President Trump's national emergency declaration that led to the imposition of tariffs on Canada. 

Raw steel production ramped up last week to one of the highest weekly rates recorded in the last four years, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.

Friedman Industries delivered a strong fiscal third quarter, posting sharp gains in sales, shipments, and margins across both its flat-rolled and tubular segments.