Steel Markets
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US Auto Sales Slower in August
Written by Sandy Williams
September 8, 2016
U.S. automotive sales took a 4.1 percent dip in August as demand softened after record breaking sales in 2015. Sales totaled 1.506 million vehicles last month, according to final tally by Wards Auto.
The seasonally adjusted annual rate fell short of expectations at 16.9 million, well below July’s SAAR of 17.8 million and the August 2015 rate of 17.7 million. Sales have peaked according to several auto manufacturers and economists. Autodata Corp says sales are still on pace, however, to exceed the 2015 record of 17.5 million.
SUVs and light duty trucks continue to dominate market sales. According to Wall Street Journal data, car sales slipped 8.4 percent year over year in August while trucks grew 2.5 percent. SUVs and crossovers sales increased 3.8 percent from August last year
The top three sellers in August were all pick-ups, the Ford-F series, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram. Sales for all three, however, were down 6.1, 4.7 and 11.3, respectively, year over year.
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Sandy Williams
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Apparent steel supply rebounds in December, but 2024 total at 4-year low
Apparent US steel supply rebounded in December, but 2024 was still the lowest level for supply since 2020.
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Trump officially orders sweeping 25% tariff on steel, aluminum
The new version of Section 232 goes into effect on 12:01 am ET on March 12, according to the executive order. The latest iteration of Section 232 removed quotas, exemptions, and other carve outs that had accumulated over years.
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Tampa Steel Conference: Two weeks to go!
With just two weeks to go, we have over 400 registered so far for the 36th annual Tampa Steel Conference. Join us and hundreds of industry executives at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street from Sunday, February 2, through Tuesday, February 4.
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Galvanized buyers see glimmers of optimism amidst the chaos
Reflecting on 2024 and looking ahead to the new year, galvanized steel buyers on this month’s HARDI call expressed a mix of cautious optimism with lingering uncertainties.