Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., the nation’s largest metals distributor and processor, reported record pretax income of $359 million in first-quarter 2021, fueled by the unexpectedly high steel prices and solid demand in most of the markets the company serves. “The combination of a record quarterly gross profit margin, average selling prices well above our […]
The number of active U.S. rotary drill rigs continued to increase this past week, while the Canadian rig count declined, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods demand. The number of active […]
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. Reduced economic activity from the pandemic caused a decline in 2020 energy demand and supply. As of April 6, the EIA expects oil demand to strengthen, as COVID-19 vaccination rates and global economic […]
Ford is building some vehicles in North America without certain components because the global semiconductor shortage has collided with a broader parts shortage. The automaker said it would assemble its popular F-150 pickup truck and its Edge SUV without some electronic modules because they contain “scarce semiconductors” and because of “parts shortages created by the […]
The number of active U.S. rotary drill rigs increased this past week, while the Canadian rig count declined, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods demand. The number of active U.S. rigs […]
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 […]
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 […]
U.S. Steel expects a solid first quarter thanks to firm demand and as record high flat-rolled steel prices flow through to its bottom line. “Strong market conditions and our well-timed acquisition of Big River Steel are allowing us to drive significant earnings growth,” U. S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt said […]
The United States’ two leading steel industry associations have cheered the Senate confirmation of Michael Regan, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency. The move comes as the U.S. steel industry increasingly looks to burnish its credentials as a green industry – and as the potential of a carbon-border tax boosts the economic viability […]
By CRU Senior Analysts Ryan Smith and Ryan McKinley, from CRU’s Steelmaking Raw Materials Monitor Steel Market Update is pleased to share this Premium content with Executive members. For information on upgrading to a Premium-level subscription, email Info@SteelMarketUpdate.com. The need for virgin iron units in the U.S. market is rising as new electric-arc furnace (EAF) […]
The number of active U.S. rotary drill rigs was relatively unchanged this past week, while the Canadian rig count declined, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods demand. SMU Note: Our last […]
Altos Hornos de México (AMSA) has resumed normal operations at its No. 5 blast furnace following a temporary outage last month, a company spokesman said. The No. 5 furnace had to stop for two days because of severe weather and a natural gas shortage. The Mexican flat-rolled steelmaker last month said that it had lost […]
Altos Hornos de México (AMSA) has resumed normal operations at its No. 5 blast furnace following a temporary outage last month, a company spokesman said. The No. 5 furnace had to stop for two days because of severe weather and a natural gas shortage. The Mexican flat-rolled steelmaker last month said that it had lost […]
The energy sector is definitely improving, stated Rick Preckel, partner at the consulting firm Preston Pipe, during Wednesday’s SMU Community Chat. Excess inventory of crude oil is beginning to move and rig counts are getting better. As rig counts and drilling pick up, OCTG product demand will flow quickly through the cycle. OCTG price increases are […]
The Energy Information Administration’s February Short-Term Energy Outlook, which was published prior to the hazardous winter weather that swept across the country in mid-February, remained subject to heightened levels of uncertainty as responses to COVID-19 continue to evolve. Reduced economic activity from the pandemic caused a decline in 2020 energy demand and supply. As of […]
Tenaris, a leading manufacturer of pipe and tube for the energy sector, saw sales rise 12% in the fourth quarter as drilling activity improved in the Americas and sales expanded in the Middle East. Sales of OCTG products rose 11% from the prior quarter in the U.S. and Canada, totaling $391 million for the region. Fourth-quarter […]
“Life at Cleveland-Cliffs has been intense,” said CEO Lourenco Goncalves, referring to a pandemic-challenged year in 2020 and major changes to what just one year ago was an iron ore company. “Without question, 2020 was the most transformational year in our company’s 173-year history,” said Goncalves. “We completed two seminal acquisitions, AK Steel and ArcelorMittal […]
“Life at Cleveland-Cliffs has been intense,” said CEO Lourenco Goncalves, referring to a pandemic-challenged year in 2020 and major changes to what just one year ago was an iron ore company. “Without question, 2020 was the most transformational year in our company’s 173-year history,” said Goncalves. “We completed two seminal acquisitions, AK Steel and ArcelorMittal […]
The number of active U.S. rotary drill rigs was unchanged this past week, while the Canadian rig count declined, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods demand. The number of active U.S. […]
At least two major Mexican flat-rolled steel producers–Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) and Ternium México–have cut production in response to power outages and natural gas shortages, according to mill communications. That development–along with transportation and production snarls at multiple flat-rolled mills in the southern United States–means the North American steel market might be short tens […]
At least two major Mexican flat-rolled steel producers–Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) and Ternium México–have cut production in response to power outages and natural gas shortages, according to mill communications. That development–along with transportation and production snarls at multiple flat-rolled mills in the southern United States–means the North American steel market might be short tens […]
Severe winter weather across North America has forced automakers to reduce shifts or temporarily halt production from Michigan to Mexico. But the impact–not only of the weather but also of natural gas shortages and power outages–appears to be more fleeting than the problems posed by a microchip shortage, which has caused some plants to shut […]
Black Swan Events One of the areas I cover when I am teaching my segment of our Steel 101 workshop is Black Swan Events and how they can impact the steel market – especially steel prices. Most of the United States appear to be having a Black Swan Event in the form of unusually cold […]
Black Swan Events One of the areas I cover when I am teaching my segment of our Steel 101 workshop is Black Swan Events and how they can impact the steel market – especially steel prices. Most of the United States appear to be having a Black Swan Event in the form of unusually cold […]
U.S active rotary drill rig counts increased again last week, while Canadian rig counts declined, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods demand. The number of active U.S. rigs rose by 8 […]
Cleveland-Cliffs has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2030. In a detailed plan, Cliffs plans to lower combined direct and indirect gas emissions on a mass metric tons per year basis compared with 2017 baseline levels. The company has already made progress toward emission reductions, achieving six years early its 2025 target […]
The Biden administration’s cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline has prompted the United Steelworkers union in Canada to prod Ottawa to implement “Buy Canadian” policies in a bid to stem job losses. “Layoffs and plant closures seem to be the only orders on the books for many Canadian steel plants,” said USW Western Canada Director Stephen […]
Cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline project by the Biden administration will have some impact on the steel market in North America, specifically supply and demand for line pipe, but the effect is difficult to assess, say the experts. On his first day in office Wednesday, President Biden followed through on his green-energy campaign promise […]
U.S and Canadian active rotary drill rig counts increased again this week, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods demand. The number of active U.S. rigs rose by 5 to 378, with […]