Beam licenses year to date (YTD), through August 21st totaled 371,631 tons, down 6.2% from last year’s YTD 396,161 tons. August to date license requests were for 20,406 tons, down substantially from the May, June, July average of 61,864 tons. Wide flange beams accounted for 64% and standard I beams make up the remaining 36%. [...]
The pace of U.S. economic growth slowed slightly in July, falling back to -0.01 from 0.16 in June. Three of the four sub-categories that make up the index declined from the prior month, and three made a negative contribution to the overall index. On a three month moving average (3MMA), the CFNAI fell into negative [...]
Total housing starts were reported at a seasonally adjusted (SA), annual rate of 1,155,000 for the month of July, down 4.8% month on month, (m/m). On a three month moving average (3MMA), basis SA total starts came-in at 1,166,000, a negative 1.2% year on year (y/y), growth rate. Single family housing starts jumped by 10.7%, [...]
June, consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), of 3.9%. Revolving credit increased at an annual rate of 5.0% percent, while nonrevolving credit increased at an annual rate of 3.6% percent. Total consumer credit increased by $12.40 billion (B), in June a 32.3% month on month, (m/m) decline and less than the [...]
The U.S. labor market continued to perform well in August. Initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits remain at a historically low level. New seasonally adjusted (SA), filings for unemployment insurance benefits fell by 12,000 to 232,000 for the week ending August 12th, while the four week moving average was 240,500. On a non-seasonally (NSA), adjusted basis, [...]
The IP index recorded a value of 105.47 in July, up 0.2% month on month (m/m) and by 0.9% year on year (y/y). July’s score was slightly lower than analysts’ consensus expectations. July was the sixth month in a row with either a flat or positive m/m gain. The increasing trend is welcome news for [...]
Wire rod final imports to the US were up 12.3% year to date (YTD), year on year (y/y), totaling 1,079,011 tons for the six months ending June 2017. On a month over month, (m/m) comparison, wire rod imports were flat (+0.3%), at 202,231 tons. Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order on [...]
Beam final imports to the US were down 12.1% year to date (YTD), year on year (y/y), totaling 272,929 tons for the six months ending June 2017. On a month over month comparison, Beam imports were up 58.6% to 65,528 tons. Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order on a YTD basis [...]
US steel production reached its highest capacity utilization rate since the week ending January 31, 2015. The identical 76.4% capacity utilization rate was achieved for the week ending August 12, 2017 at an output of 1.780 million tons (Mt). The most recent four week capacity utilization rate was 76.0% at an average production rate of [...]
Rebar final imports to the US were up 0.7% year to date (YTD), year on year (y/y), totaling 1,036,049 tons for the six months ending June 2017. On a month over month, (m/m), comparison, rebar imports soared by 65.4% to 135,411. Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order on a YTD basis [...]
