Section: News

Scrap Prices Rise Boosted by Export Demand

Scrap market prices increased in January month over month on poor flows in December and surging export demand, according to scrap executives. “Obsolete flows are down seasonally, and export prices have shown dramatic increases over the last month,” one scrap executive said.   He said Detroit mills entered the market last week at prices up $60 per gross […] The post Scrap Prices Rise Boosted by Export Demand appeared first on Steel Market Update.

SMU Spotlight: Phil Bell Talks Sustainability

 By now, anyone who works in the steel industry understands how important sustainability is. Steel is the most recycled material in the world, and recycled steel is a prominent ingredient in electric-arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking. Steel Market Update’s final Spotlight of 2022 gets into sustainability with Philip Bell, president of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), […] The post SMU Spotlight: Phil Bell Talks Sustainability appeared first on Steel Market Update.

Hot Rolled vs Prime Scrap Price Spread Remains Low

The spread between hot-rolled coil (HRC) and prime scrap prices is narrowing for the second consecutive month, according to Steel Market Update data. Prices for both products increased in December, following five consecutive months of declines. The latest HRC-prime spread is one of the lowest recorded in more than two years. The spread is now back […] The post Hot Rolled vs Prime Scrap Price Spread Remains Low appeared first on Steel Market Update.

Scrap Prices Rise in December, Higher Expectations for January

Ferrous scrap prices increased from November to December, according to Steel Market Update sources, breaking the seven-month cycle of price declines. Buyers reported prime scrap prices increased roughly $30 per gross ton, while shredded prices rose $20 per ton. “Scrap prices are up a minimum $20-30 per ton this month,” reported one scrap executive. He […] The post Scrap Prices Rise in December, Higher Expectations for January appeared first on Steel Market Update.

SMU Sentiment Index Dips From 5-Month High, But Remains Strong

After surging in late November to a five-month high, Steel Market Update’s (SMU) Steel Buyers Sentiment Index slipped three points through Dec. 8th. Our Future Buyers Sentiment Index also fell a few points from it’s previous high, down three points in comparison to two weeks prior. Buyers Sentiment remains strong overall, and Current Sentiment is […] The post SMU Sentiment Index Dips From 5-Month High, But Remains Strong appeared first on Steel Market Update.

Steel Mill Lead Times Change Direction, Extend Modestly

Steel mill lead times extended across the board this week, with production times increasing for all five products we track. Recall that lead times for hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and galvanized products were previously at or near multi-year lows in our late November market check. Lead times are up by an average of 0.5 weeks compared to […] The post Steel Mill Lead Times Change Direction, Extend Modestly appeared first on Steel Market Update.