Tag: Manufacturing

Economic activity in the US manufacturing sector contracted for the ninth month in a row in July, according to the latest report on business from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

This is a tough time to be in the forecasting business, especially when it comes to steel. You might have a battle-tested model based on the latest macroeconomic data, prices, inventories, and lead times. The catch: Whatever a forecast might showing now could be overshadowed by events next month. Namely, labor negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) union and automakers General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis.

Latin American steelmaker Ternium remains optimistic that positive trends in the Mexican market will help it to continue increasing its market share.

Ryerson said it expected demand to weaken in the near term after it reported a slump in second-quarter earnings. The Chicago-based service center group reported net income of $38 million in Q2’23, down 81% from $196 million a year earlier on revenue that fell 23% to $1.34 billion. “Shifting consumer spending patterns, higher interest rates, […]

Ryerson said it expected demand to weaken in the near term after it reported a slump in second-quarter earnings.

There is a lot going on at SMU right now. We’re going to be rolling out a new website over the next few days. We’ve also got more than 1,200 people registered to attend Steel Summit this year, putting us on pace to potentially break last year’s attendance record of nearly 1,300. The event is […]

China recently became the world’s largest exporter of cars. Experience from the steel industry suggests this is not a trend that will reverse.

Steel prices and shipment volumes will probably be lower in the third quarter than they were in the second, U.S. Steel executives said.

There is a lot going on at SMU right now. We’re going to be rolling out a new website over the next few days. We’ve also got more than 1,200 people registered to attend Steel Summit this year, putting us on pace to potentially break last year’s attendance record of nearly 1,300.

China recently became the world’s largest exporter of cars. Experience from the steel industry suggests this is not a trend that will reverse, though it might reduce. Changes in auto supply chains and metals demand outside China are likely. China Is Now the World’s Largest Car Exporter China recently became the world’s largest exporter of […]

Most metal formers predict business conditions will remain stable over the next three months, according to the July 2023 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report.

Most metal formers predict business conditions will remain stable over the next three months, according to the July 2023 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report. PMA’s July report said that 55% of the metal-forming companies the association surveyed expect no change in general economic activity in the next three months vs. 58% in June. Thirty-four […]

The US HRC Futures market has been on a roller coaster ride since our last update (green). In early July, the front month futures contracts surged significantly as news of Steel Dynamics Inc.’s (SDI’s) Sinton, Texas, mill outage trickled through the market (blue). However, the futures quickly reversed course and experienced a sharp decline, following […]

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. posted second quarter results consistent with the previous quarter’s, even as shipments slipped. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based service center behemoth shipped 1.484 million tons in Q2, 1.2 million of which were carbon steel products. Overall shipments were down 2.4% sequentially, with carbon shipments declining 2.1%. Compared to the same quarter last […]

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. posted second quarter results consistent with the previous quarter’s, even as shipments slipped.

Schnitzer Steel Industries has changed its corporate name to Radius Recycling. The Portland, Ore.-based scrap recycler and long steel producer said on Wednesday it’s part of a rebranding initiative to reflect the company’s “vision, purpose, and impact on the global economy.” “While metals recycling and steel manufacturing have been the foundation of our global business for […]

Schnitzer Steel Industries has changed its corporate name to Radius Recycling.

A stable market and steady lead times have led to decent demand, but companies are still keeping a close eye on where the market is headed, according HARDI members.

A stable market and steady lead times have led to decent demand, but companies are still keeping a close eye on where the market is headed, according to members of the Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) speaking on the July 25 meeting of its Sheet Metal/Air Handling Council. During June’s meeting, 36% of […]

Over the last month, the iron ore price has shown more weakness as fewer participants in the market maintain a positive outlook based on more stimulus measures in China. Simultaneously, on the supply side, Australia followed seasonal trends with a marginal y/y increase. Recovered Brazilian volumes have also begun to weigh on the market. Supply […]

Over the last month, the iron ore price has shown more weakness as fewer participants in the market maintain a positive outlook based on more stimulus measures in China. Simultaneously, on the supply side, Australia followed seasonal trends with a marginal y/y increase. Recovered Brazilian volumes have also begun to weigh on the market. Supply […]

In the past two months, the US Midwest Hot Rolled Coil (HRC) futures market has experienced significant fluctuations. The initial decline in prices led to destocking and low inventory levels. However, recent price increase announcements by mills halted the downward trend and even reversed it temporarily. The futures curve reflected short-term optimism but indicated that the […]

In the past two months, the US Midwest Hot Rolled Coil (HRC) futures market has experienced significant fluctuations. The initial decline in prices led to destocking and low inventory levels. However, recent price increase announcements by mills halted the downward trend and even reversed it temporarily.

We've reached approximately 1,100 registrations for SMU's 2023 Steel Summit Conference, which is only 31 days away. There's still plenty of time to register, just click here.

Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) posted lower year-over-year second quarter profits but said demand “remains solid” across the automotive, construction, industrial, and energy sectors. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based steelmaker also predicted that steel prices might find support thanks to what it described as low customer inventories. “We remain confident that market conditions are in place for […]

Editor’s note: 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 Lindsey Fox at lindsey@steelmarketupdate.com. Flat Rolled = 52.3 Shipping Days of Supply Plate = 58.1 Shipping Days of Supply Flat Rolled US service center flat-rolled steel supply edged up slightly in […]

US heating and cooling equipment shipments recovered in May, according to the most recent data released from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). The total amount of units shipped for the month of May was 1.98 million, compared to 1.74 million units in April. Shipments were up 13% month-over-month (MoM), but down 6% year-over-year (YoY). […]

 The US Federal Reserve said that overall economic activity has inched up since May in its latest Beige Book Report released on July 12. The Beige Book is a compilation of information on current economic conditions, gathered by each district Federal Reserve Bank, and is published eight times per year. The newest report by the Fed on the state […]

US service center flat-rolled steel supply edged up slightly in June as daily shipments dropped to the lowest rate this year.

Commercial Metals Co. (CMC) has secured a permit giving it the go-ahead to begin construction of its new micro mill in West Virginia. The Irving, Texas-based longs and scrap producer said on July18 the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection granted it the permit, allowing for the commencement of construction of its “fourth technologically advanced micro […]