According to the Metals Service Center Institute's monthly Metals Activity Report, U.S. steel service centers' total February shipments were reported at 2.66 million tons, a rise of 10.4% above the February 2009 shipment volume (2.4 million tons). MSCI indicated it was the first year-on-year rise for U.S. centers' steel shipments since April 2008.
The U.S. centers' February steel shipments also marked a 3.3% increase above January's steel shipments (2.58 million tons), marking the first month-on-month increase in shipment levels since October 2009.
For the first two months of 2010, service centers' steel shipments amount to 5.24 million tons - up 4.5% from the 2009 two-month total. As the month ended, U.S. service centers' steel inventories totaled 6.48 million tons, 22% below year-ago inventory levels. At their current shipping rates, MSCI estimates the centers have a 2.4-month supply of steel.
For Canadian service centers, February steel shipments increased 15.8% above the February 2009 total. Shipments rose to 445,700 tons, or 15.8% more than in February 2009. Year-to-date shipment totals stand at 890,100 tons in Canada, up 12.4% for the comparable period of 2009. Month-end steel inventories for Canadian centers amounted 1.27 million tons, 5.8% higher than the February 2009 level and equal to a 2.8-month supply at the current shipping rate.
Aluminum shipments from U.S. service centers totaled 90,000 tons in February, 8.1% above the February 2009 total. Year-to-date, U.S. centers' aluminum shipments amount to 183,500 tons, 5.3% more than the 2009 two-month total. As February ended, aluminum inventories at U.S. centers totaled 260,800 tons, 25% less than in 2009. At current shipping rates, those inventories represent a 2.9-month supply.
In Canada, February aluminum shipments amounted to 10,300 tons, 2.7% below the February 2009 total. Shipments for the first two months of 2010 stand at 20,900 tons, down 4.2% from 2009. Canadian aluminum inventories totaled 30,500 tons at the end of February, 6.9% less than in February 2009 and equal to a 3.0 month stockpile at current shipping rates.
|
| We are collecting readers' comment for improving our website. If you are willing to help, please CLICK HERE to complete a survey. Your comments matter. |
|
|
|
|
| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "Chinamac Journal (CMJ)", Adsale Machine-Building Website - www.AdsaleCMJ.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
Write a mail to the editor : 
