Steel Markets

Home Price Growth Not Deterred by Pandemic
Written by Sandy Williams
May 26, 2020
Home prices rose 4.4 percent in March compared to a year ago and 4.2 percent from February, according to the latest S&P Core Logic Case Shiller Index.
The 20-City Composite edged up 3.9 percent from 3.5 percent in February. The Composite was short one city, Detroit, due to reporting delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“March’s data witnessed the first impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices,” said Craig Lazzara, Managing Director and Global Head of Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “That said, housing prices continue to be remarkably stable.”
The March increases continued a trend of gently accelerating home prices that began last autumn., he added. “March results were broad-based. Prices rose in each of the 19 cities for which we have reported data, and price increases accelerated in 17 cities.”
Phoenix, Seattle and Charlotte had the highest year-over-year gains at 8.2 percent, 6.9 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets

Trading firms Mercuria and Tata International partner in joint venture
Geneva-based global commodities trader Mercuria is set to acquire a majority stake in Tata International, according to a report in India's Economic Times.
Glenfarne Alaska LNG and POSCO ink preliminary partnership
Glenfarne Alaska LNG and POSCO signed a preliminary strategic agreement during the GasTech Conference in Milan on Thursday.

Steel export volumes remain weak through July
Following a 3% decline in June, the amount of steel shipped outside of the US edged up 1% in July to 623,000 short tons. July was the sixth-lowest monthly export rate since the COVID-19 pandemic, and...

Hot-rolled market participants say ‘doldrums’ to roll on through year-end
Participants in the hot-rolled steel sheet market expect the market to remain subdued through the end of the year.

Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.