Raw Steels MMI: Sluggish August Demand Hits Index
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) dropped more significantly compared to last month’s one-point decline, this month falling by four points to 70. Global prices looked weak overall; however, U.S. futures spot prices increased, along with U.S. shredded scrap prices.
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U.S. steel price increases lost momentum in August, as prices for HRC, CRC, HDG and plate all moved more or less sideways.
U.S. capacity utilization fell below 80% recently. Capacity utilization dropped to 78.8% during the week ending Sept. 7, with 1.835 million net tons produced, compared with 1.866 million net tons the week prior. This represented a 1.7% decline compared with the same period last year, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
U.S. shredded scrap prices increased by 14.4% to $294/st, reflecting the shift of production methods toward electric arc furnace (EAF).
Chinese HRC, CRC Prices Move Sideways Once Again
Chinese HRC and CRC prices continued to move sideways overall in August. CRC prices once again increased, while HRC prices moved lower, although neither moved with much power. The spread between HRC and CRC prices increased once again this month after hitting a two-year low a couple of months ago.
Global Production Increases Mildly; Production Drop in China
According to the most recent data available from the World Steel Association (WSA), global production of steel totaled 156.7 million tons in July, up by 1.7% compared to last year. U.S. production totaled 7.5 million tons during July 2019, up by 1.8% compared to July 2018.
China produced 85.2 million tons of steel in July, up by 5% compared to July 2018. However, production dropped compared with June, marking the second straight month of falling production. China’s output in May — the peak for 2019 thus far — totaled 89.1 million tons.
What This Means for Industrial Buyers
While a few prices in the index increased this month, the majority of prices dropped, pulling the index down. However, key steel prices moved sideways.
Industrial buying organizations will still want to watch the market in September for typical seasonal price increases.
Buying organizations interested in tracking industrial metals prices with ease will want to request a demo of the all new MetalMiner Insights platform.
Buying organizations seeking more insight into longer-term steel price trends may want to read MetalMiner’s Annual Metal Buying Outlook.
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Actual Raw Steel Prices and Trends
Overall, global steel prices weakened during the month of August. However, the U.S. Midwest spot price increased by 8% to $586/st. U.S. shredded scrap prices increased by 14.4% to $294/st.
Chinese prices in the index fell across the board this month. Coking coal prices fell the most — by 14% — to $238/st. Chinese iron ore prices dropped by 4%.
Chinese steel billet decreased by 9.5% to $434/st. Chinese steel slab prices dropped by 8.7% to $462/st, while Chinese HRC prices dropped by 8% to $463/st.
Korean scrap prices increased this month, somewhat reversing last month’s 8.3% decrease, up by 3.9% to $127/st. Korean pig iron fell again this month, dropping by 2.2% to $325/st.
LME billet three-month prices dropped by 9.8% $241/st.
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