Final Thoughts
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Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
September 12, 2016
I spent a great deal of time on two projects: flat rolled pricing and steel mill maintenance schedules. I want to thank those companies who worked with me over the past few working days to be able to provide what I think is better data (both in pricing and in the schedules) than what has previously been available out in the market.
A note to our Premium level customers, we are reviewing and redoing much of the imports by port data we have on the website. If you have any questions about the data please contact Brett@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Our Steel 101: Introduction to Steel Making & Market Fundamentals workshop in Memphis, TN is close to being sold out. The dates on the workshop are November 15-16 and will include a tour of the Big River Steel mill just as it is about to come online and begin producing its first hot rolled coils. Details are on our website: www.SteelMarketUpdate.com or you can contact our office at 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com and we will do our best to respond to your questions.
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.