Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
December 14, 2015
A thank you to Keith Gunter of McElroy for sharing his annual Christmas poem for the steel industry with us. If you have anything you would like to share (tastefully) with the industry please feel free to forward them to my attention: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com
We just confirmed our last couple of speakers for our new Leadership Summit Conference which will be held in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on March 7-9, 2016 (PGA National Resort & Spa). We will roll it out on our website tomorrow (Wednesday) and we will have a complete article about the process and the program in Thursday evening’s issue of SMU. I highly recommend the conference for executives associated with manufacturing, distribution and trading. We think we have put the bar at a new level both in content and experience. Registration is open on a first come, first served basis. If you have any questions please feel free to contact either myself or Ray Culley (John@SteelMarketUpdate.com or Ray.Culley@SteelMarketUpdate.com).
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
The difference: The spat with Turkey was a big deal for steel. This time, the 50% reciprocal tariff for Brazil – if it goes into effect as threatened on Aug.1 – hits everything from coffee and to pig iron. It seems almost custom-built to inflict as much pain as possible on Brazil.

Final Thoughts
Are we on the cusp of sorting out the tariff situation, or is this merely another round in the bout?

Final Thoughts
I’m not sure how many different ways I can write that it’s been a quiet market ahead of Independence Day. There are variations on that theme. I’ve heard everything from the ominous “eerily quiet” to "getting better" and even the occasional “blissfully unaware” (because I’m enjoying my vacation).

Final Thoughts
What's going to be the next big thing in steel?

Final Thoughts
Based on the amount of ‘out of office’ replies we’ve been receiving and the results of this week’s steel buyers’ survey, those pesky summer doldrums have arrived for the steel industry.