Tag: CRU

Raw materials prices are poised for a rapid decline as the dollar strengthens and the global economy slumps.   Table 1 summarizes the price changes through March 18 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. This is likely our […] The post Raw Materials Prices: Iron Ore, Coking Coal, Pig Iron, Scrap, Zinc appeared first on Steel Market Update.

Steel prices are as unpredictable as the spread of a rogue virus, but one symptom of COVID-19 is likely to be lower steel prices. As of this writing on March 13, the price of flat rolled steel products had yet to see much effect from the global panic over the coronavirus. Steel Market Update’s latest […] The post What Will the Coronavirus Do to Steel Prices? appeared first on Steel Market Update.

By CRU Senior Analyst Ryan McKinley, from CRU’s Steel Metallics Monitor The CRU metallics price indicator (CRUmpi) rose slightly by 1.3 percent m/m to 206.4 (see chart). While this is broadly stable it bucked the trend compared to steel markets, which came under relatively more price pressure. Structurally, most markets were similar in condition to […] The post CRU: Global Metallics Prices Hold, But Major Downside Risks Grow appeared first on Steel Market Update.

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.

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.

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 HR futures prices have retraced lower since the beginning of the year in spite of the mill price increases. Tepid demand/extra […] The post Hot Rolled Futures: Uncertainty Leads to Lower HR Futures Prices, Flat Forward Curves appeared first on Steel Market Update.

Written by Senior Analyst Ryan McKinley. More in-depth regional analysis found in CRU’s Metallics Monitor. The CRU metallics price indicator (CRUmpi) fell by 8.9 percent m/m to 203.7 (see chart) following price falls in nearly every market. Supply outpaced demand due to mild winter conditions in much of the northern hemisphere. Key exceptions were Russian scrap and ore-based […] The post CRU: Mild Winter Creates Scrap Supply Surplus Amid Covid-19 Outbreak appeared first on Steel Market Update.

Ferrous scrap prices for February are down around $20-30/GT for obsolete grades and $10-20/GT for prime grades, report Steel Market Update sources, adding to the downward pressure already being felt on finished steel prices. “This price trend is in line with the 10-year average price movement for February,” said CRU Senior Analyst Ryan McKinley. “Buying […] The post Ferrous Scrap Prices Move Lower in February appeared first on Steel Market Update.