Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
December 9, 2013
U.S. Steel took down their Fairfield blast furnace just before Thanksgiving. We are hearing that it may be down 45-60 days although one customer of the mill’s told us by the end of December. The steel mill prepared for the furnace to go down and customers were told to place their orders some time ago.
I have just returned this evening from the HARDI convention in Phoenix, Arizona. It was cooler than normal there over the past few days and in Northern Arizona at the Grand Canyon they were referencing temperatures around 10 degrees below zero. The conference was well attended and I will have a little more on what I learned while in Phoenix in Thursday evening’s edition.
The Apparent Excess / Deficit forecast graphic we used in one of our articles this evening will become part of our Premium package. As we develop forecasting models and tools they will be dedicated to our Premium members. We published our third Premium Level Supplement Newsletter yesterday and anticipate having another later this week or early next week. Premium Level members also received an analysis of our survey results from last week.
If you have interest in upgrading your existing account (or part of it) to the Premium Level please contact our office and speak with Diana: 800-432-3475.
A reminder that a good Holiday gift for one of your employees could be a ticket to our Steel 101: Introduction to Steelmaking & Market Fundamentals workshop which will be held on February 4 & 5, 2014 in Mobile, Alabama. Included will be a tour of the SSAB mini-mill facility. Information is available on our website or you are welcome to contact our office and speak to John Temples or myself – 800-432-3475.
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
And just like that, we’re wrapping up the last SMU newsletter of 2024. We’re closing out our 19th year and looking with wide-eyed anticipation to what 2025 will bring.
Final Thoughts
SMU looks back at stories from Decembers past, one, five, 10, and 100 years ago.
Final Thoughts
It's that time of year again. You know, that time when people wonder if those things are drones in New Jersey or if the aliens are ready to come onto the stage just in time for Inauguration Day. What will that do for steel price volatility? In any case, the SMU team finds itself in Pittsburgh this week.
Final Thoughts
The Community Chat last Wednesday with ITR economist Taylor St. Germain is worth listening to if you couldn’t tune in live. You can find the replay and Taylor’s slide deck here. You can also find SMU reporter Stephanie Ritenbaugh’s writeup of the webinar here. Taylor is Alan Beaulieu’s protégé at ITR. Many of you know Alan from his talks at SMU Steel Summit. I found Taylor’s analysis just as insightful as Alan’s.
Final Thoughts
Cracks have formed in what has been presented as the Biden administration’s united front against Nippon Steel’s play for U.S. Steel. A report from the Financial Times said parts of the administration are at odds on the deal.