SMU Data and Models
March 6, 2018
SMU Service Center Apparent Excess/Deficit Inventories Forecast
Written by Brett Linton
Steel Market Update forecast that flat rolled steel shipments from U.S. service centers would rise from 87,805 tons per day in December to 109,083 tons per day in January. The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) reported last week that sheet distributors shipped 105,109 tons per day. Our shipment forecast accuracy continues to be high, off by just 3.6 percent in January.
On a monthly basis, our forecast called for total shipments to rise from 1,756,000 tons in December to 2,400,000 tons in January. The final figure was 2,312,000 tons.
