Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production Stumbles After Last Weeks Rise

Written by Brett Linton

December 15, 2015

For the week ending December 12, 2015, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) estimated the U.S. steel industry produced 1,536,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.1 percent decrease over the previous week and a 14.4 percent decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 64.2 percent, down from 65.0 percent last week and down from 74.6 percent this time last year.

Estimated total raw steel produced for 2015 YTD is reported to be 83,864,000 tons, down 9.0 percent from the 92,117,000 tons produced during the same period in 2014. The average capacity utilization rate for 2015 YTD is estimated to be 71.4 percent, down from 77.5 percent for 2014 YTD.

Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: Northeast at 192,000 tons, down 1,000 tons. Great Lakes at 547,000 tons, down 28,000 tons. Midwest at 217,000 tons, up 21,000 tons. South at 506,000 tons, down 7,000 tons. West at 74,000 tons, down 2,000 tons. Total production was 1,536,000 tons, down 17,000 tons.

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing the weekly raw steel production history. To use the graphs interactive capabilities, you must view it on our website. You can do this by clicking here. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by calling 800-432-3475.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

Read more from Brett Linton

Latest in Steel Products Prices North America