Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
February 9, 2015
I have been speaking with a number of service centers involved in the secondary side of the steel industry. Although early in my investigation, I am learning that no one really knows how the huge drop in scrap prices will ultimately affect the secondary markets. Usually there is a relationship between secondary steel prices and scrap. I learned that as prime prices fall secondary prices usually move as well but not necessarily in equal amounts. We will dig some more to see what we can learn about secondary price movements in comparison to prime and scrap price changes.
We are taking reservations for our next Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop which will be held in the Chicago area and will include a tour of the NLMK mini mill in Portage, Indiana. You can find details about our program, instructors, cost and registration on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com in the Events section. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact our office: 800-432-3475 or, info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
In light of the large drop in flat rolled steel pricing, we are hearing from a number of our readers asking for more details regarding how to get “firm fixed” pricing over an extended period of time. Andre Marshall and I have discussed doing one of our Managing Price Risk II workshops with a special focus on the current market conditions. If you are interested in attending such a workshop please advise as we are looking at prospective dates and locations. The more interest we have the sooner we can justify putting on one of our programs. Please contact me at: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com if you are interested.
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
As February comes to a close this week, the scrap markets are poised for another – and perhaps more extreme – move upward in March. March is usually a month when scrap prices relent as winter’s impediments subside. That’s not the case this year. And this time, the driver of prices will be increased demand from mills along with restricted flows over the last two months.

Final Thoughts
The US steel market has whipsawed upward on the prospect of expanded Section 232 tariffs of 25% being applied to imported steel - including downstream goods - on March 12. It seems pretty clear that domestic steel mills have the ear of the Trump administration when it comes to Section 232. The result? The much-anticipated Trump bump has finally arrived - and then some.

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 […]

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.

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).