Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
October 23, 2015
The difference between auto industry and steel industry: the UAW has issue a notice to GM that they could walk out at midnight tonight (Sunday) if they don’t have a contract. The USW is content to work under the old contract for as long as they can get away with it since both US Steel and ArcelorMittal are trying to gain concessions. Automotive companies know now is not the time to shut down profitable businesses. Steel mills haven’t quite figured out what they need to do to survive until the next up pricing cycle. The USW and US Steel go back to the negotiation table this week.
We are asked quite often what the difference is between our Executive or regular newsletter and website access versus that of our Premium level members. We produced a number of Premium supplemental issues last week covering such topics as: Global Steel Production & Capacity Utilization for September, US Vehicle Sales & NAFTA Vehicle Production for September, a special analysis of Service Center Intake, Shipments & Inventory for September (including long products & plate), Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization where our analysis showed a slowing manufacturing sector (although growth is still positive).
Last week we also produced our Imports by Product, Port of Entry and Country which allows our Premium members to see what countries are penetrating their local markets and what changes are happening to the trend for each country.
We also produced our Flat Rolled Steel Market Analysis (survey) Power Point presentation. We produce this special analysis twice per month and our presentations get rave reviews from both the financial community as well as the general steel community. For those of you on an Executive level membership you can see an example of what one of our Power Point presentations looks like by clicking on this link (or going to our Analysis tab and selecting Full Survey Results Sample from the menu in the drop down screen.
If you are interested in learning more about Premium services please contact me in my office: 800-432-3475 or by email: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
A reminder that our next Steel 101 workshop will be held in Starkville, Mississippi (Columbus, MS area) on January 19-20, 2016. This workshop will include a tour of the SDI Columbus steel mills. Details are on our website or you can click on this link.
Thank you again for your business which 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
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.
Final Thoughts
It’s been another week of torrid speculation when it comes Trump and tariffs. And another week of mostly flat price movement when it comes to steel sheet and plate. As far as Trump and tariffs go, I think I might have lost track. We've potentially got 10% blanket tariffs on imports from China, 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, 100% tariffs on the BRICs, and 200% on Caterpillar. Canada might be the 51st state. Mexico could be the 52nd state. But all can be resolved if you stop by Mar-a-Lago and kiss the ring?