Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
January 19, 2018
If you received an email welcoming you to a free trial of Steel Market Update, please disregard. Somehow, that email was sent in error (I received one as well) and we believe it to be a glitch associated with the updated software we have on our website. Sorry for the confusion.
I have been told that, at least for the time being, AK Steel customers will not be affected by the spill and fire at the Middletown facility. I expect that over the next few days we will get more information either directly from the mill or through their customers as to what impact the cleanup and any rebuilding will have on production. We will need to wait and see what happens. In the meantime, I don’t believe now is a time to panic. Just stay close to your suppliers and your information sources.
I will be traveling to Mobile, Ala., on Tuesday where Steel Market Update will be conducting one of our Steel 101 workshops. I will not return to my office until late in the day on Friday. Our next Steel 101 workshop will be held just outside of Chicago in Merrillville, Ind., on March 28 and 29. That workshop will include a tour of the NLMK USA Portage, Ind., steel mill. Information about that workshop can be found on our website or you are welcome to contact our office at 800-432-3475 or 706-216-2140.
I am deeply involved with putting together the program for our 2018 SMU Steel Summit Conference, which will be held in Atlanta on Aug. 27-29. I am always looking for suggestions regarding subjects that should be covered (or better covered) or for speakers who are exceptional and have something to say to the industry. If you have any recommendations, please contact me at John@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
For our Premium level members, last week’s PowerPoint presentation of our flat rolled market trends analysis is on our website and available for review. If you are an Executive level member and you would like to see what one of these PowerPoints looks like, please send an email to Brett@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, Publisher

John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts
Who could’ve guessed that the first stage to follow liberation would be confusion. Well, when things get this liberated this fast, perhaps it’s to be expected. From the 30,000-foot view, “Liberation Day” didn’t have a significant impact on steel tariff-wise. That is, the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs stand alone from the reciprocal tariffs […]

Final Thoughts
The market breathlessly awaits the arrival of President Trump's "Liberation Day."

Final Thoughts
I’m not sure what I can write today that won’t be old news after April 2. The Trump administration has dubbed Wednesday “Liberation Day.” Since it’s mostly about tariffs, let’s just call it “Tariff Day.” Or maybe we should call it “Tariff Week” – since tariffs typically dominate the news cycle in the first week […]

Final Thoughts
A personal perspective on Galvalume prices from SMU analyst Brett Linton.

Final Thoughts
After a March frenzy, are prices nearing a peak in April? Some of you have suggested that they are. Others think it's too early to make any such call.