Research

Forecasts and market analysis based on price assessments from Fastmarkets MB and Fastmarkets AMM

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February 2017 | North American Steels


Short run upside risks to prices but long term uncertainty lingers: US Flat Product Highlights


The Metals Service Center Institute’s (MSCI) latest data shows that a seasonal lull occurred in flat products (including plate) shipments in H2 2016, even deepening in Q4 last year.

Through January this year, US HR prices have risen $30/ton, settling at the beginning of February at $630/ton. Domestic CR prices have risen $20/ton to $820/ton over the same period, narrowing the CR price premium over HR, for the third consecutive month, by $10/ton. The HR-busheling scrap price spread in January was $310/ton, and AMM Research understands that with further price increases in HR expected, this price spread could widen further. In contrast the CR price premium over HR is expected to continue to narrow.




The Metals Service Center Institute’s (MSCI) latest data shows that a seasonal lull occurred in flat products (including plate) shipments in H2 2016, even deepening in Q4 last year. Our analysis shows that flat product prices were increasing during the lull. Indeed, inventory levels of these products declined to record lows during the same period, adding to the argument...

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