SMU Data and Models
Apparent steel supply eases in August
Written by Brett Linton
October 17, 2024
The volume of finished steel entering the US market declined in August from July, according to SMU’s analysis of data from the US Department of Commerce and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Referred to as ‘apparent steel supply,’ we calculate this monthly rate by combining domestic steel mill shipments and finished US steel imports and deducting total US steel exports.
Apparent supply registered 8.30 million short tons (st) in August. Supply declined by 1%, or 76,000 st, from the month prior and is 2% below the average monthly rate of 2024 (8.43 million st). Recall that earlier this year supply reached a 21-month high in May at 8.90 million st. This time last year apparent supply totaled 8.56 million st.
Trends
To smooth out the variability seen month to month, we can calculate supply levels on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis to better show long-term trends. As shown in Figure 2, supply on a 3MMA basis has generally trended downward over the past three years, following the late 2021 peak of 9.87 million st. The 3MMA has eased each of the past three months, following May’s 11-month high of 8.70 million st. The August 3MMA is now down to a six-month low of 8.46 million st. Compare this to the 2023 monthly supply average of 8.49 million st and the 2022 average of 8.83 million st.
Looking across the last four months, August apparent supply is on the lower side of recent rates. Over this period we have witnessed a recovery in domestic mill shipments, fluctuating finished imports, and strengthening exports. The decline from July to August was primarily due to a 183,000-st (9%) decline in finished imports and a 24,000-st (3%) increase in exports, more than half of which was negated by a 132,000-st (2%) rise in domestic shipments.
Figure 4 shows year-to-date (YTD) monthly averages for each statistic over the last four years. The average monthly supply level for the first eight months of 2024 now stands at 8.43 million st, 3% less than the same period last year. The highest YTD monthly average in our recent history was for 2022 at 8.91 million st. In this time we have seen consistent growth in finished imports, while domestic shipments and total exports have fluctuated.
To see an interactive graphic of our apparent steel supply history, click here. If you need any assistance logging into or navigating the website, contact us at info@steelmarketupdate.com.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in SMU Data and Models
SMU Survey: Current Buyers’ Sentiment Index jumps, Future Sentiment slips
SMU’s Current Buyers’ Sentiment Index rocketed up this week, while the Future Buyers’ Sentiment Index edged down. The two indices are almost at parity.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times stretch to 10-month highs
Buyers responding to our latest market survey reported that steel mill lead times were stretching out this week for sheet and plate products tracked by SMU. The results weren’t much of a surprise. Production times have begun moving out following a wave of frenzied buying in response to stricter Section 232 announced by the Trump […]
SMU Survey: Mills slam door on buyers looking to talk price
Mills’ flexibility on price for spot orders has taken a nosedive to levels not seen since the end of March 2023.
SMU Survey: Steel Buyers’ Sentiment indicates increased optimism
After reaching multi-month lows in mid-January, SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices rebounded this week to some of the highest readings recorded in months.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times fluctuate, extensions expected
While we have seen some movements in recent weeks, steel mill production times remain within a few days of the historical lows observed over the last two years, a trend observed since mid-2024.