Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
May 27, 2016
To all of our U.S. readers, welcome back from the Memorial Day Holiday. Each holiday is a big deal to me as this past weekend was one of those rare occasions where I wasn’t writing or studying the market every day and was able to actually take a couple of days off and give my hands a rest. Next holiday is the 4th of July…
At any point in time Steel Market Update (SMU) has up to 200 individuals on a free trial of our newsletter and website. I encourage those on a trial to spend some time on our website. If you need assistance in getting in, needing help in finding something or just want to ask questions about the website and our data, feel free to contact Brett Linton at: Brett@SteelMarketUpdate.com and he will do his best to help you.
Recently, a large manufacturing company who is on a trial asked us if we would be available to answer questions. My response is we want to interact with our customers as much as possible. I recently responded to another manufacturing company who submitted a list of questions they and their customers had about the market and I did my best to respond to the best of my ability. If you have a question I can be reached at: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Someone was asking me questions recently about the flat rolled trade cases and the Section 337 filing by US Steel against China. The questions were better asked of an attorney than myself and I provided Lewis Leibowitz’s email address. I also mentioned that one of the advantages of attending our Steel Summit Conference (Atlanta, Aug 29-31, 2016) is having the opportunity to meet and speak directly to many of our speakers. SMU highly encourages our speakers to attend our full conference and I know that attorney Lewis Leibowitz is one that enjoys doing just that. The “free” consulting/networking you are able to receive during the conference is probably worth more than the cost of admission… There is a full conference schedule in tonight’s issue. You can read the speakers’ biographies and learn more on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com which is also where you can register. If you have any problems please contact my office: 800-432-3475 (772-245-8630).
As always your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher
John Packard
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Final Thoughts
United Airlines raised eyebrows earlier this month when it provided two forecasts for 2025 – one assuming a relatively stable economy and another assuming a recession. The reason? Uncertainty around the impact of President Trump’s policy shocks on the broader economy. And it sometimes feels like we’re seeing a battle between those two narratives (stable vs recession) play out within in the pages of this newsletter.
Final Thoughts
Despite some scary headlines lately (especially about Trump potentially firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell) this is not October 2008 (financial crisis) or March 2020 (onset of the pandemic). But it sure seems like we’ve taken a relatively strong economy and poured a thick sauce of uncertainty over it.
Final Thoughts
I put some of our survey data through ChatGpt, with interesting results.
Final Thoughts
Nearly 50% of respondents to our latest survey thought hot-rolled coil prices have already peaked. And where will those prices be two months from now? Responses were decidedly split on that question.
Final Thoughts
A modest week-to-week change in HR price understates a huge swing in expectations.