Today, the domestic steel mills in Detroit began buying ferrous scrap for June up $60 per gross ton on prime grades (busheling and bundles) and up $50 per gross ton on cut grades and shred. It is anticipated the rest of the country will follow the Detroit lead. One of the questions we are constantly […]
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 […]
With trading for May not quite finished this week, ferrous scrap prices appeared surprisingly strong, with obsolete grades up about $20/GT and prime grades moving sideways. Steel Market Update sources put the May price for shred in the range of $450-460 per gross ton, busheling at $590-600 per gross ton, and P/S at $440-445 per […]
My first job in the steel industry started in July 1977. I have been involved with the industry ever since. I’m coming up on 44 years in a few months. That either makes me old or wise…well, old anyway. What I can tell you is during those 44 years I have never seen a market […]
There are specific reasons for the tightness of supply that exists in the market today. Events have been in motion for the past 25 years that have culminated in the limitations of supply. For those of you who have attended SMU Steel Summit Conferences you may recall a presentation done by Paul Lowrey, Managing Director […]
Given the heightened urgency to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change, nearly all the world’s automakers plan to replace at least some of the internal combustion cars and trucks in their lineups with fully electric vehicles (EVs). GM, notably, has pledged to introduce 30 new EVs by 2025 and to produce nothing but EVs […]
Given the heightened urgency to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change, nearly all the world’s automakers plan to replace at least some of the internal combustion cars and trucks in their lineups with fully electric vehicles (EVs). GM, notably, has pledged to introduce 30 new EVs by 2025 and to produce nothing but EVs […]
Schnitzer Steel tripled its net income from first to second quarter FY 2021 to $46 million, supported by robust revenues of $600 million. Strong demand for recycled metals, higher finished steel prices and elevated scrap pricing resulted in expanded metal spreads and operating margins. Net income per ferrous ton increased to $47 from $14 per […]
Steel Dynamics Inc. forecast higher first- and second-quarter results, fueled by strong shipments and record steel prices, according to guidance issued Wednesday. “First-quarter 2021 profitability from the company’s steel operations is expected to be significantly higher than sequential fourth-quarter results, driven by flat roll metal spread expansion, as strong demand continues to support flat roll steel prices,” […]
U.S. electric-arc furnace mills have a leg up on the world when it comes to meeting new carbon emissions standards–for now, said CRU Senior Analyst Ryan Smith. That’s according to a “carbon curve” Smith presented that is part of CRU Group’s Emissions Analysis Tool. The carbon curve is similar to the cost curve many steel […]
U.S. electric-arc furnace mills have a leg up on the world when it comes to meeting new carbon emissions standards–for now, said CRU Senior Analyst Ryan Smith. That’s according to a “carbon curve” Smith presented that is part of CRU Group’s Emissions Analysis Tool. The carbon curve is similar to the cost curve many steel […]
As expected, ferrous scrap prices for March settled up $50 per ton for obsolete grades and up $70 per ton for prime grades in most parts of the U.S., reported Steel Market Update sources. April scrap is likely to remain relatively unchanged. “Looking forward, I don’t see downside for prime grades in April. Depending on […]
Obsolete scrap prices are widely expected to decline in April, while prime scrap prices move sideways, predict Steel Market Update sources. Ferrous scrap prices saw a big jump in March, adding to the upward momentum on finished steel prices, but the April effect is shaping up to be more moderate. “Growing obsolete scrap availability caused […]
Ferrous scrap prices have traded flat to down in April following a big jump in March. Steel Market Update sources report the price for obsolete grades down $20/GT, while prime grades traded sideways. The price for shredded scrap is about $430/GT delivered to the mills in the Midwest and South. Prime grades are around $130-140 […]
With negotiations still ongoing this week, it appears ferrous scrap prices will see a big jump in March, as was widely expected. Steel Market Update sources reported that scrap pricing announced in Detroit today was up $70 per ton on prime grades and up $50 per ton on obsoletes. Other regions of the country are […]
With negotiations still ongoing this week, it appears ferrous scrap prices will see a big jump in March, as was widely expected. Steel Market Update sources reported that scrap pricing announced in Detroit today was up $70 per ton on prime grades and up $50 per ton on obsoletes. Other regions of the country are […]
Steel prices took another bite out of the record books in March. The advent of March shows flat rolled and plate steel prices are still roaring upwards, with hot rolled hitting another record high of $1,240 per net ton, according to Steel Market Update’s check of the market this week. Prices generally moved up in […]
John Packard founded Steel Market Update in 2008 after spending 31 years actively selling steel in the service center, steel mill and trading company segments of the industry. He is currently President & CEO of Steel Market Update which was sold to CRU in 2018. Steel Market Update is a leader in collection of market […]
It might be T-shirt weather before steel buyers in Canada have access to spot tons of sheet and plate, according to market participants. The three main Canadian sheet suppliers–Algoma, Stelco and ArcelorMittal Dofasco–are largely sold out through May and are in some cases out as far as June. And when it comes to plate, Canada’s […]
It might be T-shirt weather before steel buyers in Canada have access to spot tons of sheet and plate, according to market participants. The three main Canadian sheet suppliers–Algoma, Stelco and ArcelorMittal Dofasco–are largely sold out through May and are in some cases out as far as June. And when it comes to plate, Canada’s […]
Stronger longer than many anticipated…. An interesting comment from a couple of service centers today, one in the South and another in the Midwest. These two companies agree that the last $100 to $150 per ton in price increases are from panicked buyers. Once those panic buyers are removed from the market…then what? I have […]
Steel Dynamics Inc. turned in a remarkable fourth quarter and 2020 results despite a year fraught with challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. SDI posted its second highest record for yearly steel shipments at 10.7 million tons. The company’s fabrication platform shipped a record 666,000 tons. Metals recycling posted operating income of $45 million in 2020 […]
Schnitzer Steel completed the transition to a consolidated earnings report, posting a net income of $15 million for the first quarter of FY 2021 ending Nov. 30, 2020. Results were a significant increase from net income of $5 million in Q4 FY 2020 and a loss of $7 million a year ago. “We were very […]
Flat rolled steel prices have started the new year strong, jumping by another $25-55 per ton and taking the benchmark hot rolled price above $1,000, within sight of the record high of $1,070 per ton seen in 2008. With steel still in tight supply and ferrous scrap prices likely to increase again in January, Steel […]
Flat rolled steel prices have started the new year strong, jumping by another $25-55 per ton and taking the benchmark hot rolled price above $1,000, within sight of the record high of $1,070 per ton seen in 2008. With steel still in tight supply and ferrous scrap prices likely to increase again in January, Steel […]
As we enter the New Year (goodbye 2020, welcome 2021), you will notice changes to Steel Market Update. One of the very first things you will notice is that our newsletters will have more relevant content in them. This is due to the addition of Michael Cowden who joins us after spending 13 years with […]
John Packard, President & CEO of Steel Market Update discusses changes being made at the company, events on the books for 2021, and the status of the flat rolled and plate steel markets – including steel price commentary: As we enter the New Year (goodbye 2020, welcome 2021), you will notice changes to Steel Market […]
I received a call earlier today from one of our readers who is also a consultant to companies who purchase flat rolled steel. He mentioned to me that there is some confusion with companies who think our index is the same as CRU, since we are owned by CRU. That belief is ill-advised and flat […]
By CRU Principal Analyst Chris Asgill, from CRU’s Steelmaking Raw Materials Monitor Russia will impose tariffs of 5% ferrous scrap exports, with a minimum rate of €45 /t ($55 /t), for a period of six months. The country states that these are to protect the domestic metallurgical industry from supply shortages and high prices. As shown […]
Steel Dynamics Inc. reported that fourth-quarter 2020 earnings will be significantly higher than third quarter, driven by flat roll metal spreads and steady steel shipments. Average steel prices for the quarter are expected to offset increased scrap costs. Demand remains good, particularly in automotive and construction. “Strong demand coupled with historically low steel inventories throughout […]