The Automotive Monthly Metals Index (MMI) held flat for this month’s reading, as U.S. auto sales slumped in Q3. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for metal with MetalMiner should-cost models. US auto sales slip in Q3 General Motors reported its third-quarter sales fell from 665,192 […]
Category: Ferrous Metals
This Morning in Metals: Steel capacity utilization falls to 84.8%
This morning in metals news: U.S. steel capacity utilization dipped to 84.8% last week; meanwhile, General Motors signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Renewable Energy to develop a rare earths supply chain; and, lastly, the United States Trade Representative commented on potential targeted exclusions for the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods implemented during […]
Construction MMI: Construction spending flat in August
The Construction Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell for this month’s value, as U.S. construction spending came in virtually unchanged from the previous month. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for metal with MetalMiner should-cost models. US construction spending U.S. construction spending in August reached a […]
Global crude steel production down in August, China’s drops 5.3%
Global crude steel production fell by 1.4% year over year in August, the World Steel Association reported. Do you know which market conditions are best with different steel contracting mechanisms? Check out our best practices on this topic. Global crude steel production falls, including in China Global crude steel production fell by 1.4% to 156.8 […]
This Morning in Metals: Steel capacity utilization rises to 85.2%
This morning in metals news: U.S. steel capacity utilization reached 85.2% for the week ending Sept. 25; meanwhile, most planned U.S. battery storage additions in the next few years will be paired with solar; and, lastly, unemployment rates in August declined in nearly all metropolitan areas. Steel prices have been rising for over a year, […]
Russia’s 15% export duty hasn’t boosted flat-rolled prices as feared, traders say
Russia’s 15% export duty on steel has not impacted market prices for flat-rolled products, either coming into the European Union or rolled within the 27-member bloc, market participants told MetalMiner. “The Russian [steelmakers] are absorbing it completely,” one trading source said of the export duty. A second trader noted a similar situation. “The export tax […]
Automakers see 2022 steel price contract negotiations looking brutal
Just over a year ago, MetalMiner commented on the acquisition of most of ArcelorMittal USA’s assets by Cleveland-Cliffs (including potential impacts on steel prices). At the time, the MetalMiner analyst team suggested, “The deal strengthens the company’s position in the automotive sector. The company likely controls 60%-65% of exposed auto sheet supply (think steel used […]
US steel imports dip in August; steel prices continue gains
U.S. steel imports totaled an estimated 2.5 million metric tons in August, the Census Bureau reported Friday, as U.S. steel prices continue to post gains. The August total marked a decline from 2.7 million metric tons in July. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for […]
Evergrande crisis — and China’s property market in general — could have significant impact on metals prices
Anyone following the financial papers cannot have failed to read lurid reports regarding China’s Evergrande construction company, which appears on the brink of collapse. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Chinese markets fall on Evergrande crisis Indeed, stock markets in […]
US steel capacity utilization dips to 84.9%
The U.S. steel capacity utilization rate fell slightly but remained at a healthy 84.9% for the week ending Sept. 18, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported this week. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Steel capacity utilization hits 84.9% […]