Contributor: Laura Miller

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held a variety of positions within the steel industry since 2007, including reporting and editing for Steel Business Briefing/Platts, the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and Kallanish Commodities, as well as marketing for what was then known as ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (now AM/NS Calvert). After a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel in 2021 and has covered the flat rolled, tubular, and trade areas of the industry. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

December marks second slowest month for imports in 2023

December’s import level was slightly lower than an earlier license count had suggested, resulting in December marking the second-slowest month for imports in 2023.

Steel market chatter this week

What's being talked about in the US steel market this week?

SMU Community Chat: Iron ore market update with CRU’s Erik Hedborg

SMU’s Jan. 24 Community Chat, featuring CRU's Principal Analyst Erik Hedborg, provided viewers with an update on the current state of the global iron ore market.

Algoma Steel halts coke production after structure collapse in Sault Ste. Marie

Algoma Steel Group has halted coke production in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, after an incident at its coke-making facility this past weekend.

Rig counts rise in US, Canada but down from last year

While oil and gas drilling in the US and Canada rose in the week ended Jan. 19, less drilling is happening than at this time last year, Baker Hughes’ latest data shows.

HRC vs. plate price spread narrowing but still high

The premium plate has held over hot-rolled coil (HRC) has been narrowing but remains elevated compared to historical levels.

Fed Beige Book: Economic activity steady, manufacturing declines

While there was little change in economic activity since its last update, the Federal Reserve reported declines in manufacturing in nearly all districts in its January Beige Book update.

SMU survey: Steel mill lead times mostly slipping

The slipping lead times for flat-rolled steel were not just due to the holiday slowdown, it seems, as production times for four out of five products contracted again this week.

Steel market chatter this week

What are people in the steel marketplace talking about this week?

November exports hit lowest point of 2023

US steel exports were flat from October to November, but November took the prize for the fewest monthly exports year to date in 2023.

Galvanized buyers report an above-average start to new year

Coming out of a strong fourth quarter, galvanized steel market participants are reporting an above-average start to January and are cautiously optimistic for 2024.

Will we see you in Tampa in two weeks?

We’re just two weeks away from the 35th annual Tampa Steel Conference! It’s not too late to register.

HRC vs. CRC price spread jumps in second week of new year

The spread between cold-rolled coil (CRC) and hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices jumped during the week of Jan. 8 as cold rolled tags continued to rise while hot rolled tags held steady.

USW accuses USS of contract violations in Nippon Steel deal

The United Steelworkers (USW) union is accusing U.S. Steel of labor contract violations as the steelmaker pursues its potential sale to Nippon Steel.

SMU Community Chat: New Reibus leaders talk change

With a new leadership team and a more streamlined workforce, digital metals marketplace Reibus is entering a new phase of its evolution as an innovator in the metals industry.

Commerce to lower import duties on welded pipe from UAE

The US Department of Commerce will likely be lowering the antidumping duty (AD) rates on imports of welded steel pipe from the UAE.

CMC posts lower earnings, expects better results from infrastructure spend

Commercial Metals Co. saw robust demand from the construction markets in its first fiscal quarter, which ended on Nov. 30, 2023.

Commerce rules four countries are unfairly trading tin mill products

The Department of Commerce issued its final determination in the trade case involving tin mill products from a handful of countries.

ITC hears final arguments in tin mill products trade case

The International Trade Commission (ITC) held a hearing on Thursday, Jan. 4, to consider arguments for and against the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVDs) on tin mill products from a handful of countries. Both sides made compelling arguments.

Steel market chatter this week

SMU polled steel buyers on a variety of subjects this past week, including purchasing practices, steel sheet prices, scrap, and the future market.

SMU survey: Lead times contract but remain at healthy levels

Steel mill lead times pulled back across the board this week but are still said to be at healthy levels, according to SMU's market survey this week.

Import licenses bounce back to five-month high in December

After falling in November, steel imports appear to have bounced back to a five-month high in December.

Raw steel output falls to close 2023, annual production slightly higher

Raw steel production in the US fell to a 38-week low to close out the last week of 2023.

Wilbur Ross says USS sale to Nippon isn’t a security threat

Wilbur Ross doesn’t believe the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel poses any threat to the economic or national security of the US.

USW not sold on Nippon’s buy of USS after meeting

After meeting with Nippon Steel, the United Steelworkers (USW) union remains weary of the company’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel.

Imports fall to year low in November

November’s preliminary count shows US imports falling, but to a lesser degree than an earlier license count had suggested, according to the latest government figures.

US extends tariff-rate quotas with EU through 2025

The tariff rate quotas (TRQ) on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union are being extended for another two years.

AISI: Raw steel output slips in all regions

The latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) production figures show domestic steel output slipping the week before the Christmas holiday. Domestic mills produced an estimated 1,693,000 net tons of steel during the week ended Dec. 23, AISI said. Output was down 1.2% from the previous week but was 7.4% higher than the same week […]

Opposition to Nippon Steel’s proposed buy of U.S. Steel builds

Political opposition to Nippon Steel Corp.’s (NSC) proposed purchase of U.S. Steel continues to build.

WTO panel rules in favor of US in 232 tariff quarrel with Turkey

A World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute panel has ruled in favor of the US in a case regarding retaliatory tariffs imposed by Turkey in response to Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum.