Ferrous scrap prices surprised to the low side in March, trading sideways to up just $10 per ton, well below initial expectations of up $10-30/GT. The mills were anticipating that higher scrap prices this month would lend support to the $40 increase in finished steel prices they announced last week. “In the Ohio Valley, obsolete […] The post Ferrous Scrap Prices Surprise to the Low Side in March appeared first on Steel Market Update.
The following article on the hot rolled coil (HRC) steel and financial futures markets was written by Jack Marshall of Crunch Risk LLC. Here is how Jack saw trading over the past week: Steel In the midst of a fairly volatile news cycle in the last month with the COVID-19 virus stealing the headlines, the […] The post Hot Rolled Futures: How Much Slowing to Expect from Global Supply Chain Disruptions? appeared first on Steel Market Update.
Steel Dynamics has agreed to acquire 100 percent of the equity interest of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal recycler Zimmer, S.A. de C.V. The Monterrey, Mexico, operations will support raw material procurement for Steel Dynamics’ new Texas flat rolled mill. Zimmer operations consist of six scrap processing facilities located near scrap-rich industrial areas in Central […] The post SDI to Acquire Mexican Scrap Recycler appeared first on Steel Market Update.
Key Market Indicators show that the improvement in market trends in December and January translated to a jump in the present situation in February. This report is designed to be a big picture summary of data on which we have reported in detail during the month. In it we summarize 36 data streams that describe […] The post SMU Analysis: Key Market Indicators through February appeared first on Steel Market Update.
Raw materials prices have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus outbreak in China. Table 1 summarizes the price changes through Feb. 19 of the five materials considered in this analysis. It reports the month/month, 3 months/3 months and 12 months/12 months changes on a percentage basis. In the last 30 days, the prices of iron […] The post Raw Materials Prices: Iron Ore, Coking Coal, Pig Iron, Scrap, Zinc appeared first on Steel Market Update.
It is rare that market direction is clear and uncontested. There have been a few times during my 42-year steel career when it was obvious steel prices were going to be higher tomorrow than they are today. It was during one of those times in history that I began writing a note to my steel […] The post Steel Market Direction – Comments from SMU CEO John Packard appeared first on Steel Market Update.
It is rare that market direction is clear and uncontested. There have been a few times during my 42-year steel career when it was obvious prices were going to be higher tomorrow than they are today. It was during one of those times in history that I began writing a note to my steel buying […] The post Final Thoughts appeared first on Steel Market Update.
While America’s integrated steel producers are investing millions in R&D to reduce harmful emissions from their steelmaking process, the nation’s minimill steel producers have already claimed the high ground for environmental stewardship. Integrated mills and their blast furnaces heat iron ore and coking coal at high temperatures to produce high-quality virgin pig iron and steel. […] The post SMA Claims the High Ground in Environmental Debate appeared first on Steel Market Update.
Steel prices finished 2019 on an upward trajectory, giving the market hope for a stronger 2020. That trend proved short-lived, however, as prices stalled in January and February, leaving both buyers and sellers wondering what to expect in the weeks and months ahead. Steel prices rose in November and December on a series of price […] The post SMU Market Trends: No Clear Direction for Steel Prices appeared first on Steel Market Update.
We will begin our mid-February flat rolled and plate steel market trends analysis at 8 a.m. on Monday. Currently we are inviting approximately 560 individuals to participate in the market questionnaire, which takes about 4-8 minutes to complete. If you receive an invitation, please take a few minutes to provide your insights as they are […] The post Final Thoughts appeared first on Steel Market Update.