Final Thoughts
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Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
October 2, 2013
I made a decision many years ago that when the domestic steel industry (multiple mills) announced price increases that I would automatically move the SMU Price Momentum Indicator to Neutral. Since we are already at Neutral it is important to understand that at this point prices could move up, down or absolutely nowhere from where they are at this moment.
There is a portion of the industry which supports higher prices 100 percent. Another portion who believes – strongly – that market fundamentals will ultimately come home to roost and it is only a matter of time before prices tank.
The next few weeks will be interesting.
Our next Steel 101: Steelmaking & Market Fundamentals workshop will be in Mobile, Alabama on February 4th and 5th, 2014. Part of the workshop will be a tour of the SSAB plate and hot rolled mini-mill (EAF) in Axis, Alabama. We are working on finalizing details regarding hotel and other logistics as well as tweaking our program. We anticipate being able to take registrations within the next week or two. If you have any questions please contact us at: info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by phone at 800-432-3475.
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
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John Packard
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Final Thoughts
Some of you have told me that the current market feels about as crazy as early 2021 when demand snapped back after the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Others have said it might be more like late February/early March 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and, in the process, caused […]
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Final Thoughts
To say we’ve entered a “Brave New World” since Jan. 20 might be an exaggeration, but we’ve definitely entered a different one.
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Final Thoughts
I think it’s fair to say that the last few weeks – and last week especially – have been among the most intense for any of us covering steel (or aluminum).
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Final Thoughts
A look at how SMU survey respondents are reacting to President Trump's recent actions on tariffs.
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Final Thoughts
A lot of the changes basically entail rolling back what I’ll call, for fun, Section 232 Lite. S232 Lite resulted from watering down what I’ll call OG S232 – the one first imposed in March 2018 - with exemptions and exclusions over the years. Now, OG Section 232, is back with its across-the-board 25% tariffs against everyone.