Archive for: ‘July 2013’

Iron Ore Price Continues Climb, Nearing Three-Month High

July 22, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

The spot reference price for 62% Fe iron ore cfr North China rose 3.9% to $131.70 for the week ending July 19, 2013.  The price climbed as high as $131.90 during the week, which was the highest price since April 30, 2013, before settling at $131.70 at the end of the week.

The spot price for iron ore averaged $112.12 in 3Q12, $120.57 in 4Q12, $148.16 in 1Q13, and $125.76 in 2Q13; the full-year 2012 average was $128.30.

The post-recession low was $59.10 on March 27, 2009, while the high was $190.19 on February 17, 2011.

Source: The Steel Index

U.S. Rig Count Increases to Five-Week High, Canadian Rig Count Climbs To Four-Month High

July 22, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased 0.6% to 1,770 for the week ending July 19, 2013, up eleven from last week’s count of 1,759, but is some 8.5% below the year-ago level of 1,935.

The highest weekly rig count in the United States since 1940 was recorded on December 28, 1981, at 4,530; the lowest was recorded on April 23, 1999, at 488.

The number of rigs in Canada climbed for the tenth consecutive week, jumping 10.2% from 294 to 324 to the highest level since March 22, 2013.  The count is some 1.2% below the year-ago level of 328.

The highest rig count for Canada was 727 on February 3, 2006; the lowest was 29, recorded on April 24, 1992.

Source: Baker Hughes Inc.

June Flat-Rolled Inventory Lowest in Two Years; Shipments Pick Up Strength on Price Hikes

July 17, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

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June carbon steel inventories declined another 1.2% to the lowest since February 2011, while average daily shipments gained 0.8%, bucking the normal seasonal drop of …

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Advance/Decliner Index Rises to Six-Month High

July 15, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

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Our Advance/Decliner Index rose to a six-month high as rising iron ore prices (two-month high) continue to drive improving sentiment despite bearish news on China’s growth.…

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First Half Chinese Steel Production Surges Nearly 10% – Exports Up 18%

July 15, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

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June Chinese steel exports rose 1.2% to 4.16 million tonnes (mt) from 4.11 mt in May as a nominal 0.3% decline in production swamped a…

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Advance/Decliner Index Rises Above 50; Highest Since February

July 9, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

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Our Advance/Decliner Index rose for the fifth consecutive week, rising to the highest level since February as global raw material prices trended higher in the week…

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June ISM Steel Survey – Optimism in the Air

July 9, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

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The June Institute for Supply Management Steel Buyer Survey once again showed an improved outlook for the overall economy and respondents’ own businesses after hitting a…

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Domestic Raw Steel Production, Capacity Utilization Back Up

July 9, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

Weekly domestic raw steel production rose 3.0% from 1.822 million tons (mt) last week to 1.876 mt for the week ending July 6, 2013, and is some 0.4% above the year-ago level of 1.869 mt.

We would caution readers that only half of the AISI reporting companies release their weekly production in “real time” so the other half of this data is estimated using the last month’s reported production & operating rate. What this means is that when production is changing, the weekly data is actually understating the change.

Capacity utilization also increased, rising from 76.1% last week to 78.3%, which is above the year-ago level of 75.6%

The lowest production since the recession began was 800,000 tons for the week of December 27, 2008, while the highest was 2.005 mt for the week of May 12, 2012. The lowest capacity utilization rate since the recession began was 33.5% for the week of December 27, 2008; the highest was 81.1% on May 12, 2012.

Source: AISI and Steel Market Intelligence

Iron Ore Price Reaches Six-Week High

July 8, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

The spot reference price for 62% Fe iron ore cfr North China rose 5.2% to $122.60 for the week ending July 5, 2013, climbing consistently throughout the week and reaching the highest price since May 23, 2013.

The spot price for iron ore averaged $139.35 in 2Q12, $112.12 in 3Q12, $120.57 in 4Q12, and $148.16 in 1Q13; the full-year 2012 average was $128.30.

The post-recession low was $59.10 on March 27, 2009, while the high was $190.19 on February 17, 2011.

Source: The Steel Index

U.S. Rig Count Ticks Higher, Canadian Rig Count Reaches Three-Month High

July 8, 2013 Posted by Steel Market Intelligence

The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased 0.5% to 1,757 for the week ending July 3, 2013, up slightly from last week’s count of 1,748 but is some 10.6% below the year-ago level of 1,965.

The highest weekly rig count in the United States since 1940 was recorded on December 28, 1981, at 4,530; the lowest was recorded on April 23, 1999, at 488.

The number of rigs in Canada increased 3.9% from 206 to 214 this week and reached the highest count since March 28, 2013.  Despite the increase, the count is still some 18.9% below the year-ago level of 264.

The highest rig count for Canada was 727 on February 3, 2006; the lowest was 29, recorded on April 24, 1992.

Source: Baker Hughes Inc.