The USMCA Impact on US Economy As part of an investigation into the USMCA impact on US economy, representatives from both the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) and the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) said the proposed NAFTA replacement would provide benefits to the US steel industry and to the US economy in general. The deal encourages [...]
Increasing Scrap Prices Affect SBQ Price Hikes Prices for special bar quality (SBQ) steel products in the US have risen again, moving up by $0.50 per hundredweight ($10 per short ton) due to increasing scrap prices while market participants eye an early 2019 mill base price hike. US Drill Rigs Running Increased Last Week The [...]
Oil Prices Entered Bear Market Territory In Thursday's trading, oil prices entered bear market territory, closing down at $60.67/barrel amid worries over rising US crude inventories and slowing global demand. West Texas Intermediate crude is now down 21% from its Oct. 3 peak. WSJ US Raw Steel Production Reached a 4+ Year High US raw [...]
Consumer Confidence Index Increased Again The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased again in October. The Present Situation and the Expectations Index's both increased as well. These are at levels last seen in the fall of 2000. Consumers' assessment of present-day conditions remains quite positive, primarily due to strong employment growth." Said Lynn Franco, Senior [...]
