U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021 on an annualized basis, according to the second estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The second estimate saw no change in overall GDP compared to the advance estimate; however, upward revisions to consumer spending and nonresidential fixed investment were […]
Steel prices continued to climb higher in May, now the ninth consecutive month prices have increased. Hot rolled steel prices increased an average of $23 per ton each week, reaching $1,590 per ton as of last week when this article was filed. The SMU Price Momentum Indicator has remained unchanged since the August 2020 adjustment […]
New orders, production and employment picked up in May despite slower supplier deliveries and lengthening backlogs, said the Institute for Supply Management in the May 2021 Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The Manufacturing PMI rose 0.5 percentage point to 61.2 after contracting in April and indicates expansion for the overall economy. “Manufacturing performed well for the […]
The United States leads the world in production of sustainable steel and doesn’t get enough credit for its performance in reducing climate-changing CO2 emissions, said Steel Manufacturers Association President Philip Bell, during during Wednesday’s SMU Community Chat webinar. The minimill electric arc furnace is the preferred technology for lowering CO2 intensity. “The U.S produces over 70% […]
Ferrous scrap prices in the U.S. are likely to see a big jump in June, estimated at $50-60 per gross ton or more, primarily as a result of strong demand from foreign buyers, sources tell Steel Market Update. “June will bring significant price increases for ferrous scrap. The biggest factor is the strength of the […]
Indian steelmaker JSW Steel Ltd. suffered losses of nearly $31 million at its U.S. operations in its fiscal fourth quarter as its mills worked to return to production following pandemic-related shutdowns. JSW Steel USA idled its Mingo Junction, Ohio, and Baytown, Texas, mills in 2020 in response to poor demand resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. The […]
March apparent steel supply rose nearly 1.5 million tons from February’s dip, now at 8.96 million net tons, according to the latest U.S. Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute data. This is the highest supply level seen since January 2020’s 9.52 million tons. March also marks the largest month-over-month increase in supply […]
The United States and the European Union have begun negotiations that could lead to the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the continent, according to market participants and a joint statement from the two sides. The official trigger of the talks: U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo […]
Auto assemblies in North America backpedaled in April as the ongoing shortage of semiconductor chips intensified and hindered automakers’ ability to produce cars and trucks, according to LMC Automotive (LMCA). April’s production totaled 1.087 million units, down from 1.217 million units in March or 10.7%. March saw a bump in auto production—the first in nearly […]
The Energy Information Administration’s April Short-Term Energy Outlook remains subject to heightened levels of uncertainty as responses to COVID-19 continue to evolve. Economic activity has increased significantly compared to previous years and, combined with the easing of COVID restrictions, energy use is rising. The EIA expects oil demand to continue to strengthen due to those […]
U.S. steel exports jumped 17% in March to 790,000 tons, according to recently released U.S. Department of Commerce trade data, now at the highest monthy level seen since June 2018. Of our six monitored product groups, the greatest month-over-month increase in exports went to plate cut lengths, up 37%, followed by a 35% increase in […]
Record-high steel prices result not from Section 232 tariffs or industry consolidation but instead from uniquely strong supply-demand fundamentals, Cleveland-Cliffs’ top executive said. And an ambitious infrastructure package would go a long way toward keeping those fundamentals, and the resulting investment in the domestic steel industry, stronger for longer, he suggested. “We in this country […]
Record-high steel prices result not from Section 232 tariffs or industry consolidation but instead from uniquely strong supply-demand fundamentals, Cleveland-Cliffs’ top executive said. And an ambitious infrastructure package would go a long way toward keeping those fundamentals, and the resulting investment in the domestic steel industry, stronger for longer, he suggested. “We in this country […]
Auto assemblies in North America gained ground in March for the first time since October, according to LMC Automotive (LMCA). North American production rose to 1.217 million units in March, up from 1.092 million in February, but production continues to suffer from the ongoing shortage of semiconductor chips. North American production was up 20.1% in […]
U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021 on an annualized basis, according to the advanced estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The gain marks the second-fastest pace of growth since Q2 2003 and was exceeded only by the pandemic-reopening-fueled burst of Q3 in 2020. This growth […]
By CRU Chief Economist Jumana Saleheen and CRU Head of Fertilizers Chris Lawson, from CRU’s Steel Monitor Commodity prices have continued an upwards tear in 2021. Steel and its raw materials have seen the sharpest gains, but less well-known commodities such as fertilizers are also attracting attention. With such steep price rises, calls for a […]
The World Steel Association was cautiously optimistic in its April 2021 Short-Range Outlook published last week. The association expects steel demand to grow 5.8% this year, reaching 1.874 billion metric tons, after declining 0.2% during the pandemic in 2020. “Despite the disastrous impact of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods, the global steel industry was […]
February apparent steel supply slipped 500,000 tons or 6.3% from the 10-month high seen in January, now at 7.51 million net tons, according to the latest U.S. Department of Commerce and American Iron and Steel Institute data. Although down from the month prior, February supply is at the third highest level seen in the last […]
After recovering 9% in January, U.S. steel exports rose 1% in February to 677,000 tons, according to recent U.S. Department of Commerce data. Of our six monitored product groups, the greatest month-over-month increase in exports went to cold rolled products, followed by hot rolled steel, while plate and other metallic coated exports declined. Total February […]
Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) has declared force majeure on its contracts after a fire at its port facilities in Sept-Îles, Quebec. The blaze broke out on the No. 2 reclaimer on March 31, and the cause of the fire “remains unknown at this time,” the Canadian iron ore miner and pellet producer said. […]
U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) finished 2020 with annualized growth of 4.3% in the fourth quarter, a slight upward adjustment based on the third estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The third estimate included upward revisions to private inventory investment that was partly offset by a downward revision to nonresidential fixed investment. An annualized […]
By CRU Prices Analyst Estelle Tran, from CRU’s Global Steel Trade Service The strength and longevity of the current uptrend in steel prices has surprised many market participants, and mill maintenance outages are expected to keep lead times extended. The latest lead time survey on March 15-17 from Steel Market Update, which is part of […]
By CRU Senior Analyst Erik Hedborg, from CRU’s Steelmaking Raw Materials Monitor Iron ore prices have been steady in the past week as stricter pollution controls in China have been lifted and seaborne supply has been strong. On Tuesday, March 16, CRU has assessed the 62% Fe fines price at $166.0 /dmt, up $1.0 /dmt […]
By CRU Analyst George Pearson, from CRU’s Steel Sheet Products Monitor Details of China’s Tangshan emission control policy that circulated in the last week have provided a further boost to Chinese steel prices but have weighed on prices for iron ore. The high cost of freight is still reducing the competitiveness of sheet imports in […]
By CRU Economist Ippolito Tarabini and Principal Economist Alex Tuckett, from CRU’s Exchange Rate Outlook Q1 2021 The latest foreign exchange market developments have shown the resilience of the dollar. Since the start of the year, the single most important driver of dollar strength has been U.S. fiscal policy, which has boosted expectations of U.S. […]
By CRU Senior Analyst Erik Hedborg, from CRU’s Steelmaking Raw Materials Monitor Iron ore prices have risen by $10 /dmt in the past week as Tangshan cuts have raised steel margins and steelmakers in other regions are seeing an uplift in production. On Tuesday, March 30, the 62% Fe fines price was assessed at $168 […]
By CRU Analyst Atul Kulkarni, from CRU’s Steel Sheet Products Monitor The U.S. manufacturing PMI rose to a 38-year high during March as the Biden government’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package improved sentiment. U.S. vehicle production and durable goods new orders stayed strong during February. Although U.S. crude steel capacity utilization increased during March, sheet supply […]
By CRU Principal Analyst Josh Spoores, from CRU’s Steel Sheet Products Monitor The current global sheet market cycle is one which continues to reflect a strong demand rebound from the lows associated with various lockdowns in 2020 H1. It seems that in one market after the other, sheet production has failed to catch up with […]
By CRU Analysts Kevin Bai and Zhenzhen Jiang, from CRU’s Steel Sheet Products Monitor Policy aimed at reducing pollution in Tangshan, Hebei province, has started to restrict hot metal supply and lift steel prices in China. This Insight summarizes the policy, assesses the immediate impact of the measures and explores potential implications on China’s crude […]
By CRU Principal Analyst Erik Hedborg, from CRU’s Steelmaking Raw Materials Monitor Iron ore prices have jumped by over $30 /dmt in the past week as Chinese markets reopened with exceptionally bullish sentiment among futures traders. Both iron ore and steel prices witnessed unprecedented price increases in the past week and on May 11, CRU […]