Steel Products Prices North America
U.S Raw Steel Production Up Last Week
Written by Tim Triplett
May 8, 2018
Steel production for the week ending May 5 totaled 1,779,000 net tons, a 3.5 percent increase from the same period last year, and up 1.4 percent from the previous week. The mill capability utilization rate for the May 5 week averaged 75.9 percent, up from 74.8 percent the prior week and 73.7 percent the prior year, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute. Peak capacity utilization for the year was 78.7 percent in early March.
Adjusted year-to-date producton through May 5 totaled 31,502,000 net tons at a capability utilization rate of 75.6 percent. That’s up 1.7 percent from 30,971,000 tons in the same period last year when the capability utilization was 74.4 percent.
Following is production by district for the week of May 5: North East: 216,000 net tons; Great Lakes, 670,000 net tons; Midwest, 148,000 net tons; South, 667,000 net tons; and West, 78,000 net tons, for a total of 1,779,000.
Note, mill capability for second-quarter 2018 is approximately 30.5 million tons, compared to 30.3 million tons for the same period last year and 30.0 million tons for first-quarter 2018.
The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage from 50 percent of the domestic producers combined with monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The AISI monthly production report provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75 percent of U.S. production capacity.
Below is a graph showing the history of weekly raw steel production. You will need to view the graph on our website to use its interactive features; you can do so by clicking here. If you need assistance logging into or navigating the website, please contact our office at 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
SMU Price Ranges: Sheet floor holds as market debates upside
Our average HR coil price increased $5/short ton from last week, marking a second consecutive week of modest gains. Market participants generally attributed the increase to...
Thin demand keeps plate prices hovering at lowest levels since February
Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.
SMU Price Ranges: HR crawls back to $800/ton
SMU’s HR price stands at $800/st on average, up $5/st from last week. The modest gain came as the low end of our range firmed, and despite the high end of our range declining slightly.
SMU successfully completes IOSCO review
SMU has successfully completed an external review of all our prices. The review has concluded that they algin with principles set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
Domestic plate prices could heat up despite so-so demand, market sources say
Some sources also speculated that plate could see further price increases thanks to modest but steady demand, lower imports, mill maintenance outages, and end markets less immediately affected by tariff-related disruptions.