SMU Data and Models
March 22, 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 slightly decline from 105,109 tons per day in January to 104,577 tons per day in February. The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) reported last week that sheet distributors shipped 109,565 tons per day, an increase over January. Our shipment forecast accuracy continues to be relatively high, off just 4.6 percent in February.
On a monthly basis, our forecast called for total shipments to fall from 2,312,400 tons in January to 2,091,500 tons in February. The final figure was 2,191,500 tons; our forecast was off by exactly 100,000 tons.
