Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Written by John Packard
September 4, 2019
Ferrous scrap prices are starting to settle as of today. Initial checks with some of our scrap sources found prime grades down $40 and obsolete grades down $30 in portions of the Midwest. We learned the Cleveland area mills bought busheling down $20 to $300/gross ton. We also learned of a purchase of HMS at $235/gross ton in Ohio as well. One of our pig iron experts predicted prices will have to move lower despite high iron ore prices. He reported an impasse between producers and consummers, but it will have to breakdown soon. The downward movement in pricing was expected and may help put pressure on flat rolled and plate prices moving forward.
California Steel Industries became the second mill to announce new coating extras. Based on our quick analysis, the CSI coating extras for galvanized steel are down 8 to 10 percent.
I contacted a couple of other coating mills who told me they were looking into their extras and would advise when something changes. My expectation is for most mills to make moves in their galvanized coating extras within the next week to two weeks.
Steel buyers should remain aware of zinc pricing and buyers of galvanized (and Galvalume where you need to watch zinc and aluminum pricing) need to be aware of the variations in extras from one mill to another. Steel Market Update does an analysis of coating extras on our website. You should look under the “resources” tab then “Steel Mills” to “Galvanized Extras” to “Coating Extras Comparison” which has been updated as of today.
If you are notified of any coating extra changes please forward them to info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or directly to me: John@SteelMarketUpdate.com
A reminder that our next (not yet sold out) Steel 101 workshop will be held in Fontana, California and will include a tour of the California Steel Industries steel mill. The dates for this workshop are January 7-8, 2020. We hope to have our registration page up and available within the next few working days.
If you have questions about renewals, upgrades or becoming a new subscriber to Steel Market Update, please contact Paige Mayhair at 724-720-1012 or by email: Paige@SteelMarketUpdate.com
As always, your business is truly appreciated by all of us here at Steel Market Update.
John Packard, President & CEO
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
And just like that, we’re wrapping up the last SMU newsletter of 2024. We’re closing out our 19th year and looking with wide-eyed anticipation to what 2025 will bring.
Final Thoughts
SMU looks back at stories from Decembers past, one, five, 10, and 100 years ago.
Final Thoughts
It's that time of year again. You know, that time when people wonder if those things are drones in New Jersey or if the aliens are ready to come onto the stage just in time for Inauguration Day. What will that do for steel price volatility? In any case, the SMU team finds itself in Pittsburgh this week.
Final Thoughts
The Community Chat last Wednesday with ITR economist Taylor St. Germain is worth listening to if you couldn’t tune in live. You can find the replay and Taylor’s slide deck here. You can also find SMU reporter Stephanie Ritenbaugh’s writeup of the webinar here. Taylor is Alan Beaulieu’s protégé at ITR. Many of you know Alan from his talks at SMU Steel Summit. I found Taylor’s analysis just as insightful as Alan’s.
Final Thoughts
Cracks have formed in what has been presented as the Biden administration’s united front against Nippon Steel’s play for U.S. Steel. A report from the Financial Times said parts of the administration are at odds on the deal.