SMU Data and Models
April 23, 2018
SMU Service Center Apparent Excess/Deficit Inventories Forecast
Written by Brett Linton
Last month, Steel Market Update forecast flat rolled steel shipments from U.S. service centers would remain steady at 109,565 tons per day in February to 109,594 tons per day in March. The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) reported last week that sheet distributors shipped 107,314 tons per day, a decrease over February. Our shipment forecast accuracy continues to be relatively high, off just 50,000 tons overall for the month of March.
On a monthly basis, our forecast from one month ago called for total shipments to rise from 2,191,300 tons in February to 2,411,100 tons in March. The final figure, according to MSCI data, was 2,360,900 tons.
