Final Thoughts
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Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
April 22, 2016
My focus over the next few days is going to be on demand and how demand will impact the flat rolled steel markets over the next couple of months. I began the process by looking at the Steel Dynamics earnings conference call transcript for hints as to how SDI sees the market progressing through 2nd and 3rd Quarters 2016. The article is contained in tonight’s issue and you may want to read it if you are at all concerned about how full the mills really are and what they see going forward.
But, I want to know more and you can help. Please send me your thoughts and opinions on demand for your products from now through the remainder of this year. You can reach me at: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
Our Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop is officially SOLD OUT. We have an exceptional and very diverse class and I am looking forward to participating in this workshop and with working with our friends at North Star Bluescope. Our next workshop will not be until early November when we will roll out a special edition of our Steel 101 program in conjunction with Big River Steel. We will have more details on this workshop in the coming weeks.
I hope to roll-out a few more speakers to fill out our Steel Summit 2016 program. We have attached the speakers confirmed to date and we are getting rave reviews from manufacturers, service centers, trading companies and steel mills about the strength of the program. Registration is open and we encourage your company to register early (and often). We believe this year’s program will have something for everyone: CEO to brand new sales person or purchasing agent. If you have any questions I am always available: 800-432-3475 or John@SteelMarketUpdate.com. If you need an invoice or would like to register a large number of attendees from your company (and we have many who are bringing 3 or more people) you can communicate with me or Diana@SteelMarketUpdate.com. You can find more details about the hotel, conference center, program and registration on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com.
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher
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John Packard
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Final Thoughts
That’s not to say Section 232 shouldn’t be tightened up. Or that certain trade practices – even among our traditional allies – weren’t problematic. But when it comes to the reboot of Section 232, I do wonder whether there will be some unintended consequences.
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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.
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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.
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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 […]
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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.