Sheet prices started out the year modestly higher. That’s what you’d expect given that Q1 is typically a busy and that scrap prices usually rise over the winter months. The question now is whether prices, which have been moving upward since Thanksgiving, continue to increase or whether the current upswing might prove to be a […]
The following article on the hot-rolled coil (HRC), scrap and financial futures markets was written by Jack Marshall of Crunch Risk LLC. Here is how Jack saw trading over the past week: Hot Rolled Hot-rolled futures have pushed higher in year-end thin trading. December daily futures trading volumes hovered around 19,000 short tons (ST) per […]
US Steel has announced the appointment of two new senior vice presidents. Christian Gianni has been named senior vice president and chief technology officer, and John Gordon has been named senior vice president of raw materials and sustainable resources. Gianni comes to US Steel from Deka Research and Development Corp., where he served as the executive […]
Global crude steel production was estimated at 139.1 million metric tons in November, as steelmakers around the world cut output by 4.2 million metric tons vs. the same year-ago period, the World Steel Association (worldsteel) reported. Last month’s estimated production was also down sequentially, declining 5.6%, or 8.2 million metric tons, from October’s total crude […]
World crude steel production declined month on month (MoM) in November, driven by a widespread decline worldwide. Global production was also down nearly 3% vs. the same period last year, according to World Steel Association (worldsteel) data. November’s output lost ground when compared to October, down 5.6%, declining for the second straight month. World crude […]
Worthington Industries is building cash to strengthen its balance sheet as it prepares to move its Steel Processing segment into a separate business. The Columbus, Ohio-based company said it had had $129.6 million of cash at the end of its fiscal second 2023 quarter ended Nov. 30, an increase of $95.1 million from May 31, […]
We’re nearing the end of 2022, which means it’s time to register for the Tampa Steel Conference as you make your travel plans for 2023. The event will be at the Tampa Marriott Water Street hotel again this year. Mark your calendar for Sunday-Tuesday Feb. 5-7. Nearly 200 of you have registered already. We’re on track […]
Nucor Corp. said Noah Hanners will be promoted to executive vice president effective Jan. 1. Hanners began his career with Nucor in 2011, the steelmaker said, noting that he currently serves as vice president and general manager of the David J. Joseph Co. “Noah has proven his abilities in the many leadership roles he has held at Nucor and throughout his career,” Nucor chair, […]
Sheet imports into the US slowed noticeably in November, while imports of plate and semifinished slab rose, according to the latest license figures released by the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. All steel imports into the US require an import license to enter through Customs. The license count provides a first look into […]
JSW Steel USA announced that Mark Bush has stepped down as CEO to pursue other opportunities. Greg Manfredi, current COO of JSW Steel USA, will take interim charge, and lead both the Mingo Junction, Ohio, and the Baytown, Texas, teams. His role will also include the continued execution of the modernization and upgrades of the […]
Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Index surged 13 points last week and now stands at a five-month high. Our Future Buyers Sentiment Index also increased, up three points to one of the highest readings since May. Buyers Sentiment had peaked earlier this year, then trended downward through mid-November, always remaining in positive territory. SMU’s Buyers Sentiment […]
Steel mill lead times were mixed this week compared to our previous market check, with production times slightly shrinking for three products and marginally extending for two. Hot rolled, cold rolled, and galvanized lead times are now at or near multi-year lows. Lead times are down by an average of 0.2 weeks compared to one […]
A very high percentage of sheet buyers continue to report that mills are willing to talk price to secure an order, as they have since May, with more than nine out of ten reporting that this week. Negotiations on plate products are not as common, with slightly more than half of buyers reporting they are […]
Monthly Key Market Indicators (KMI) have steadily improved since reaching their most recent low in July, though steel buyer sentiment recently tumbled to a 26-month low, according to the latest analysis by Steel Market Update. Positive and neutral indicators have increased, while negatives have eased. Despite some recent improvements, present headwinds are still notable. The […]
Flat Rolled = 52.5 Shipping Days of Supply Plate = 47.3 Shipping Days of Supply Flat Rolled US service center flat rolled supply in October was steady month on month, according to Steel Market Update data. At the end of October, service centers had 52.5 shipping days of flat-rolled steel on hand on an adjusted […]
Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Index remained roughly steady this week, as it has seen since mid-September. Our Future Buyers Sentiment Index inched down three points but remains in line with levels recorded in late September. Buyers Sentiment peaked earlier this year. It has trended downward since May but nonetheless remains in positive […]
Steel buyers continue to hold the upper hand in price negotiations with mills — a position they have enjoyed for nearly six months. A very high percentage of sheet buyers continue to report that mills are willing to talk price to secure an order. Negotiations on plate products are not as common, with slightly more […]
Steel mill lead times were steady to down this week compared to our previous market check. Production times shrunk for four products tracked by SMU and slightly extended for one. Lead times retracted by an average of 0.2 weeks compared to two weeks ago and are half a week shorter than levels one month ago. […]
Apparent demand for flat-rolled steel in the US edged down slightly in SMU’s latest analysis of demand and lead time dynamics. Despite the slight decline in the latter half of October, the month’s SMU Steel Demand Index closed out roughly 2.5 points above September’s reading but remained in contracting territory for the sixth straight month […]
After ticking downward in the middle of October, Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Indices both saw marginal increases this week. Buyers Sentiment has trended downward overall since May, with buyers concerned about high inventory costs, dismal demand, and a slowing economy. SMU’s Buyers Sentiment Index attempts to measure how steel buyers feel about […]
As steel prices ease week after week, the power position in price negotiations between steel mills and steel purchasers continues to rest with buyers, as it has since June. According to our latest check on the market, a high percentage of buyers continue to report that mills are willing to talk price to secure an […]
Steel mill lead times declined across the board this week for all products tracked by SMU. Our latest lead times analysis shows that production times on sheet products decreased by 0.2–0.5 weeks compared to our previous market check two weeks ago, while plate lead times dipped 0.1 weeks. On average, lead times retracted by 0.3 weeks compared to […]
Flat Rolled = 52.7 Shipping Days of Supply Plate = 50.2 Shipping Days of Supply Flat Rolled US service center flat rolled supply on hand edged down in September, reflecting a higher daily shipment rate. At the end of September, service centers carried 52.7 shipping days of supply of flat rolled, down from 53.9 shipping […]
Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Indices both saw slight declines this week, following modest gains two weeks prior. Sentiment has trended downward overall since May, with buyers attributing their dismal outlooks to weakening demand, high inventory costs, and recession concerns. SMU’s Buyers Sentiment Index measures how steel buyers and sellers feel about their […]
Steel mill lead times were relatively unchanged this week for four of the five products tracked by Steel Market Update. Our latest lead times analysis shows that production times on hot-rolled steel held steady compared to our previous market check. Galvanized, Galvalume, and plate lead times all extended just 0.1 weeks, while cold rolled lead […]
With steel prices continuing to ease, buyers clearly hold the upper hand in price negotiations with mills. Market dynamics have turned 180 degrees in the past six months, from a seller’s market in March and April to a strong buyer’s market today. According to our latest steel market survey, a high percentage of buyers continue to report […]
Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Index saw a slight uptick this week. The modest gain follows a double-digit decline two weeks prior. Industry sentiment has trended downward since May, with continued concerns about demand, profitability, high-cost inventory, and recession. Despite the increased gloom, SMU’s Future Steel Buyers Sentiment Index also bounced back this […]
Steel mill lead times shrunk across the board this week, with the processing time narrowing for all five products we track. SMU’s latest lead times analysis shows that production times on hot rolled, galvanized, and plate products declined 0.1–0.3 weeks compared to our previous check on the market, while cold rolled and Galvalume lead times […]
The power position in price negotiations between steel mills and steel purchasers has seen a complete turn around in the past six months, transitioning from a seller’s market in March and April to a strong buyer’s market today. According to our latest steel market survey, the percentage of buyers reporting that mills are willing to […]
Steel Market Update is pleased to share this new, Premium content — an index comparing lead time and demand data — with Executive members. For information on upgrading to a Premium-level subscription, email Info@SteelMarketUpdate.com. Apparent demand for flat-rolled steel in the US saw its sharpest decline since our early July reading when the index fell seven […]