Category: Ferrous Metals

Japan’s steel sector faces numerous challenges, from COVID-19 to global overcapacity

Japan’s steel sector is facing tumultuous times. But, in the short term, there are initial signs of it pulling through in 2021. Are you on the hook for communicating the company’s steel performance to the executive team? See what should be in that report.  Pandemic impacts on Japan’s steel sector The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to […]

US steel capacity utilization ticks up to 77.2%

US steel mills churned out metal at a steel capacity utilization rate of 77.2% for the week ending Feb. 27, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported. See why technical analysis is a superior forecasting methodology over fundamental analysis and why it matters for your steel buy. Steel capacity utilization gains Last week’s rate […]

This Morning in Metals: February US auto sales forecast to rise 3.3%

This morning in metals news: J.D. Power and LMC Automotive released their joint forecast on February US auto sales; meanwhile, US steel imports fell by 23% in January; and, lastly, Ford’s CEO urged the US government to support the implementation of electric vehicle applications. February US auto sales forecast to rise New-vehicle retail sales in […]

MSCI: US metals shipments down year over year but up from spring 2020 lows

Like other economic indicators, metals shipments in the US and Canada have come a long way since the bottoming out that occurred last spring (prompted by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic). According to the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), shipments have recovered both in the US and Canada. However, shipments in January still came […]

This Morning in Metals: Arconic reports 14% revenue decline, led by aerospace weakness

This morning in metals news: Arconic reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2020 financial results; meanwhile, the Census Bureau reported steel import totals; and, finally, hot rolled coil steel prices continue to rise. Arconic reports Q4, 2020 financial results Pittsburgh-based Arconic reported Q4 2020 revenues of $1.5 billion, up 3% from the previous quarter. However, […]

US steel capacity utilization rises to 77.0%, steel prices continue to rise

The US steel sector capacity utilization rate ticked up to 77.0% for the week ending Feb. 20, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported. Steel capacity utilization gains US steel production during the week ending Feb. 20 totaled 1.75 million net tons, AISI reported. The total marked a 7.2% year-over-year decline. Furthermore, the weekly […]

Week in Review: Aluminum industry going greener; rare earths chess game; nickel, stainless dynamics

Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including the aluminum industry and its efforts to curb emissions, China’s latest foray in the global rare earths chess game and much more: You want more MetalMiner on your terms. […]

Investment banks signal possible start of a commodities super cycle

Investment banks love a super cycle. It spurs irrational investment and sucks in unwary investors. Furthermore, it encourages passive funds to up their allocation, even if only by fractions of a percent. But with some $14 trillion invested in US equities alone, even a modest increase in passive investments into ETFs would reap significant rewards […]

Nucor forecasts Q1 2021 net earnings to best 2008 record

While the first half of 2020 posed significant challenges for metals manufacturers and end users alike, some firms have showed signs of recovery in the ensuing months and into 2021. In the second quarter, steel demand suffered. Automotive manufacturers idled production in North America for a period of about two months last year, beginning in […]

ArcelorMittal steel output drops by one-fifth in 2020

Impacts from the COVID pandemic and asset sales saw ArcelorMittal report a 20.4% decline in its crude steel production in 2020. “The countries worst affected by COVID were the ones that saw drops in their production,” one industry watcher added about lower production at the group’s assets in Europe, Brazil and the United States. ArcelorMittal […]

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