Tag: flat-rolled

SMU’s Steel Demand Index growth eased again, according to early April indicators. The slowdown comes after the index reached a four-year high in late February.

US steel imports returned to normal levels in February after climbing to a near three-year high in January, according to finalized trade data published by the US Commerce Department. March license data suggests imports have remained within this normal range.

The US Commerce Department on Friday released preliminary anti-dumping margins in a trade case targeted imports of coated flat-rolled steel from 10 countries. Certain countries and mills were hammered while others were largely spared. Brazilian steelmaker CSN, for example, received a preliminary rate of 137.76%. Some Turkish mills – including Boreclik and ArcelorMittal Celik Ticaret – received no dumping margin at all.

The Pittsburgh steelmaker expects to see increasing volumes from both Big River Steel and Big River 2.

SDI expects energy, non-residential construction, and automotive to continue to drive demand.

US steel exports recovered to a five-month high in January after having fallen to a two-year low in December. This growth follows four consecutive months of declining exports.

Steel imports ended 2024 on a low note, with November trade falling to a one-year low and December seeing a modest 3% recovery. Then as the new year began, import volumes spiked.

Following the one-year low recorded in November, steel imports rose by 3% in December to 2.14 million short tons (st) according to final US Commerce Department data. January could be the highest month for steel imports witnessed in nearly three years.

SMU’s sheet prices were mixed this week. Hot-rolled (HR) coil and plate notched gains while prices for coated products stagnated or dipped lower. Our HR price now stands at $700 per short ton (st) on average, up $15/st from last week and marking the highest level for HR prices since $705/st in early October. SMU’s […]

Domestic steel imports fell 14% from October to November to a one-year low of 2.07 million short tons (st), according to final US Commerce Department data. While steel trade has declined from early-2024 highs, November imports are slightly higher than volumes seen one year prior.

SMU’s Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index slipped this week, while Future Sentiment remained flat, according to our most recent survey data.

Steel Market Update’s Steel Demand Index recovered by nearly 10 points last week, though it still remains in contraction territory.

SMU’s flat-rolled steel prices were mixed this week with slight declines across most products and a modest increase in prices for cold-rolled coil.

Worthington Steel has named Cliff Larivey as the company’s president of flat-rolled steel processing, effective Dec. 1. He will replace Jeff Klingler, who had been performing the role for the past year.

September steel imports were 10% less than August levels, marking the lowest monthly import rate seen this year

SMU’s Current Sentiment Index suggests steel buyers are still optimistic about their businesses’ ability to succeed in today’s market, though their confidence has significantly declined compared to recent months.

Steel Dynamics Inc. remains optimistic about its prospects as it ramps up flat-rolled steel operations and prepares for the production of aluminum products next year. Executives from the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based steelmaker provided an update on the company’s operations on a conference call on Thursday held to discuss SDI’s third-quarter earnings results.

The amount of steel exiting the country in August reached the highest monthly rate recorded since August 2023.

August steel imports totaled 2.38 million short tons (st) according to final data released this week by the US Commerce Departmen

SMU’s Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Indices moved in different directions this week. Our Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index eased to a six-week low, while Future Buyers’ Sentiment ticked up to a four-week high. Both of our Indices continue to indicate optimism among steel buyers.

Following May’s five-month low, US steel exports ticked higher in July, according to the latest US Department of Commerce data. The amount of steel exiting the country rose 6% month on month (m/m) to 818,000 short tons (st). This is back in line with trade levels seen in recent months.

Whether as a guitar player in a rock and roll band or as a high-powered executive at Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI), it’s all about the team for SDI’s Barry Schneider.

Steel Market Update is pleased to share this Premium content with Executive members. For information on how to upgrade to a Premium-level subscription, contact info@steelmarketupdate.com. Flat rolled = 64.2 shipping days of supply Plate = 60.9 shipping days of supply Flat rolled Flat-rolled steel supply at US service centers grew in July with restocking as […]

June steel import data was finalized at 2.15 million short tons (st) this week, down 24% from May according to the latest US Commerce Department release. June represents the lowest monthly import rate seen this year. July import licenses now tally up to 2.29 million st as of Aug. 4, potentially recovering 6% from June. […]

Nearly 1,200 people have registered for SMU Steel Summit, which is less than a month away now. That means we’re still on pace to meet or exceed last year’s record attendance despite a tough flat-rolled steel market over the last few months. So, a big thank you to everyone who already plans to go for your continued support. If you haven’t booked travel yet, don’t miss out on one of the greatest shows in steel – register here. (You can also check out the latest agenda here.)

Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves had some insightful things to say today about the steel market and about a conference we suspect might be Steel Summit.

Cleveland-Cliffs expects its acquisition of Canada’s Stelco to close later this year, which will help the the Cleveland-based steelmaker as a bottom to steel tags nears.

SMU’s Key Market Indicators include data on the economy, raw materials, manufacturing, construction, and steel sheet and long products. They offer a snapshot of current sentiment and the near-term expected trajectory of the economy. All told, nine key indicators point lower, 16 are neutral, and 13 point higher. One thing worth noting: The nine indicators pointing lower are all lagging indicators. Many of those pointing upward are leading indicators.

Cleveland-Cliffs’ earnings tumbled in the second quarter as the company cited weak demand and pricing.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, when you add in some commentary from respected peers in the steel industry to those pictures, that may shoot you up to five thousand words, at least. In that spirit, we’ve added some snapshots from our market survey this week, along with some comments from market participants.