Worldsteel Association (WSA) reports that global crude steel production totaled 146.7 million tonnes (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate, (CUR) of 76.2% in January. On a year on year, (y/y) comparison, global crude steel production in October decreased by 3.79 Mt as the capacity utilization rate remained flat in percentage points. On a three month [...]
The total tonnage for the week ending March 9th was 1,941 million tons, (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate of 83.4%, which is the sixth consecutive month where the utilization has been over 80%. For the year of 2019, total tonnage output was 19,025Mt, at an average capacity utilization rate of 81.3%. In 2018, the [...]
The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing composite index decreased by 1.3 of a point month on month, (m/m) to a strong 59.7 in February. The indexes remain strong in 2019, up 2.3% 3MMA y/y. The advance in the index points to continued growth in the nonmanufacturing segment as the fundamentals remain strong for the sector. [...]
The Institute of Supply Management’s Index moved up 1.6 points month on month, (m/m) to 54.2 for February 2019. This continues the trend of the index being greater than 50, (>50 = expansion), now for 30 consecutive months. The new orders sub-index scored a 55.2. Overall, the manufacturing activity expanded at a slower rate than expected [...]
Total U.S. construction spending continued to perform well in December, especially in the state and local sector. Census Bureau non-seasonally adjusted (NSA), constant dollar CPIP data showed that December’s twelve month total, (12MT) construction expenditures grew by 5.6% year on year (y/y), to $1297.6 billion (B). On a 12MT basis, private expenditures advanced 4.6% y/y, [...]
