steel production

Steel production remains low in the range for the past year. Not clear the future direction.

Commodity prices drifting down

In the baseline scenario, which assumes no macroeconomic shocks or supply disruptions, oil prices are expected to average $103/bbl in 2014, just 1 percent lower than the 2013 average. Agricultural prices are projected to decline a further 2.5 percent in 2014 under the assumption that the existing improved crop conditions will continue for the rest of the year. Specifically, prices of food and beverages are expected to drop by 3.7 and 2.0 percent—raw material prices will not change much. Metal prices will decline an additional 1.7 percent in 2014 as new supplies are expected to come on board. Fertilizer prices are expected to decline almost 12 percent in 2014, on top of the 17.4 percent decline in 2013, mostly due to new fertilizer plants coming on stream in the U.S., in turn a response to low natural gas prices. Similarly, precious metals are expected to decline more than 13 percent in 2014 as institutional investors increasingly consider them less attractive “safe haven” alternatives.

Rail traffic up

Friday, April 25, 2014

AAR traffic report: Carloads, intermodal units continued to climb in Week 16

During the week ending April 19, U.S. railroads originated 290,713 carloads, up 5.1 percent, and 259,113 intermodal units, up 7.6 percent compared with volumes during the same 2013 period, according to Association of American Railroads data. Total combined weekly traffic on U.S. railroads rose 6.3 percent to 549,825 units.

Steel production and steel casting production

Here is an analysis from historical data showing the correlation of steel and steel casting production when DOC Census tracked the steel casting numbers.

Nickel prices

http://www.ssw-americas.com/news/newsdetail.aspx?newsID=46523

Nickel prices improving

23 April 2014

So far in 2014, nickel prices have risen sharply despite other industrial metals, like copper and iron ore, struggling in the market.

One of the main reasons for this improvement in nickel prices is Indonesia’s ban on nickel ore exports. These prices could even grow even stronger later in the year, which is good news for companies like Vale (a nickel producer) and BHP Billiton (which is looking to offload its nickel resources).

As recent as last year, nickel was the worst performing industrial metal. Before the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, nickel prices were approximately $50,000/ton. As a result, mining companies ramped up their production levels, but soon afterwards the global economy lost steam after the financial crisis, damaging the demand for base metals. Unfortunately, miners had already committed to their capacity expansion so they could just continue to produce nickel instead of being able to just lower production. In 2013, the International Nickel Study Group recorded the refined nickel supply climbed about 11 percent resulting in an estimated surplus of 173,000 tons.

But nickel prices have bounced back sharply entering into a bull market after gaining 20 percent by March. Last week, the nickel prices for a three-month delivery climbed to a 14-month high of $17, 917 per ton at the London Metal Exchange.

Rail traffic is up

https://www.aar.org/newsandevents/Freight-Rail-Traffic/Pages/2014-04-17-railtraffic.aspx#.U1bgGKLgdHA

AAR Reports Increased Weekly Rail Traffic

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 17, 2014 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported increased U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 12, 2014 with 295,294 total U.S. carloads, up 7.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Total U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 264,382 units, up 9.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Total combined U.S. weekly rail traffic was 559,676 carloads and intermodal units, up 8.2 percent compared with the same week last year.

Steel production

Production is up from a fall the last two weeks but still lower than the flat range for the last 6 months.

Stainless prices

http://www.ssw-americas.com/news/newsdetail.aspx?newsID=46233

Stainless steel prices boosted rising nickel

09 April 2014

Late last year, MEPS predicted that there would be an upturn in demand for stainless steel, however this has not yet materialized during the first quarter of 2014. However, recent increases in nickel costs have lifted stainless transaction values and helped boost stainless purchases.

The mineral ore export ban imposed by Indonesia has had a small effect since the beginning of 2014, but other conventional nickel producers have stepped up their outputs in an effort to help reduce the shortfall. Nickel continues to be in surplus relative to current demand. The LME Nickel Cash price rose by US$2000 per ton between Feb. 25 and Mar. 26, which was an increase of over 14 percent. As a result, austenitic stainless steel transaction values have advanced and likely to continue doing so. Market insiders are reporting positive signs saying that consumption is sure to increase (either because of seasonal trends or because of genuine economic recovery).

Steel production

Steel production still weak in mid April.

Steel markets to conquer