Final Thoughts
The market breathlessly awaits the arrival of President Trump’s “Liberation Day.”
Steel News
SMU price ranges: Tags mixed as market seeks tariff clarity ahead of ‘Liberation Day’
Sheet and plate prices were mixed on Tuesday as the market took a wait-and-see approach to the Trump administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.
US pig iron tags hold despite potential scrap price drop
The price of pig iron for the US market remains firm despite a potential drop in domestic ferrous scrap prices going into April.
SMU’s March at a glance
SMU’s Monthly Review provides a summary of our key steel market metrics for the previous month, with the latest data updated through March 31.
ISM: Manufacturing expansion loses steam after two months of growth
US manufacturing activity slowed in March after two straight months of expansion, according to supply executives contributing to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)’s latest report.
AISI: Raw steel production jumps to 6-month high
Raw steel mill output from US mills rebounded last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production is now at the highest weekly rate recorded so far this year.
Olympic opens new Houston facility for Action Stainless unit
Olympic Steel has opened a new facility in Houston to support its Action Stainless business.
Chicago Business Barometer rose to 16-month high in March
The Chicago Business Barometer increased for the third-consecutive month in March. Despite this, it still reflects contracting business conditions, as it has since December 2023.
Nucor keeps HRC price unchanged
Nucor paused its weekly hot-rolled (HR) coil price this week, keeping it flat for the first time since Jan. 21. This comes after a nine-week rally that saw the company increase prices by double-digits for eight of those weeks.
Final Thoughts
I’m not sure what I can write today that won’t be old news after April 2. The Trump administration has dubbed Wednesday “Liberation Day.” Since it’s mostly about tariffs, let’s just call it “Tariff Day.” Or maybe we should call it “Tariff Week” – since tariffs typically dominate the news cycle in the first week […]
Wittbecker: The United Arab Emirates’ Emirates Global Aluminum US smelter project
The United Arab Emirates’ Emirates (UAE) Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) announced plans to spend $1.4 trillion dollars in the US over the next 10 years, including a greenfield primary aluminum smelter. Is this real or another soundbite?
Price on Trade: Auto tariffs, auto parts, and Hyundai – a world of rapid changes
Trump’s new auto tariffs will apply to passenger vehicles (including sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans), light trucks, and certain automobile parts (including engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components).
Nucor increases plate prices by $40/ton
Nucor aims to increase prices for steel plate by $40 per short ton (st) with the opening of its May order book. The Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker said the increase was effective with new orders received on Friday, March 28, in a letter to customers dated the same day. The company said the price hike applied […]
SMU Steel Summit 2025: Will we see you there?
Anticipation leading up to SMU’s Steel Summit 2025 is already heating up after last year’s record-setting attendance!
Week in Review: March 23-28
The constant flow of information we all receive can be a little overwhelming, but SMU is here to help with a snapshot of the week.
Nippon could up investment in USS facilities to $7B: Report
It’s the latest twist as the proxy battle heats up for Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.
CRU: Canacero urges Mexico-US partnership to fend off Asian steel imports
Victor Cairo, head of Mexico’s steel sector body Canacero and CEO of ArcelorMittal Mexico, says he is confident negotiations between the Mexican and US governments planned for April 2 will lead to the creation of a regional block to substitute imports, especially from Asia.
Crowe’s Schrock explains how to adopt AI at your firm
Crowe’s Doug Schrock explains how to get up and running with AI at your company.
US CRC price gains ground over imports
US cold-rolled (CR) coil prices increased again this week, while offshore prices declined.
Active rig counts stable in US, decline in Canada
US rig counts remain slightly above multi-year lows, while Canadian activity is slowing following a seasonal peak.
Final Thoughts
A personal perspective on Galvalume prices from SMU analyst Brett Linton.
HR Futures: Correction in market after big rally
Another eventful week in the physical and financial steel markets is coming to a close, but with a markedly different tone than the last update at the end of February.
Join us for the April 9 Community Chat with Algoma Steel CEO Michael Garcia
During the chat, we’ll discuss trends in the North American sheet and plate markets, as well as the unique aspects of the Canadian market. We’ll talk all thing tariffs — and the timing couldn’t be better in the wake of Liberation Day on April 2.
Hybar expansion still on the table as Arkansas mill startup nears
As Hybar nears the completion of its $700-million rebar mill in Arkansas, the company said it is still “actively considering” building other steel facilities in the southern US.
US chassis makers seek duties on imports from Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam
Upon the request of US chassis manufacturers, the Commerce Department this week initiated investigations into the alleged dumping and subsidization of chassis imported from Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam.
US and offshore HRC prices tick lower
The threat of tariffs over the past two months has been a springboard for US prices. But the Section 232 reinstatement on March 13 narrowed the domestic premium over imports on a landed basis.
Miller on Scrap: Ferrous mart losing steam in April on auto woes
The US ferrous scrap market rise this year is showing signs of slowing down as US steelmakers adjust production in line with slower automotive production and sales. But President Trump’s announcement of 25% auto tariffs could change things very fast.
Trump: 25% auto tariffs to begin on ‘Liberation Day’
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a proclamation that will impose a 25% tariff on most imported passenger vehicles.
Steel market chatter this week
This week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, including market prices, demand, tariff policies, inventories, imports, and emerging market events.
SMU Steel Demand Index momentum slows
Steel Market Update is pleased to share this Premium content with Executive members. Contact info@steelmarketupdate.com for information on how to upgrade to a Premium-level subscription. Growth in SMU’s Steel Demand Index eased in March after reaching a four-year high in late February. Despite a moderate gain, the index remains in expansion territory. The Steel Demand […]