(01-16-18)
December shipments increased again for steel and aluminum in the U.S. but declined for both metals in Canada. U.S. Service Center Activity: U.S. service center steel shipments in December 2017 increased 2.8% from December 2016. Steel product inventories increased 6.8% from December 2016. U.S. service center shipments of aluminum products in December increased by 12.5% from the same month in 2016. Inventories of aluminum products increased 1.9% from December a year ago. Canadian Service Center Activity: Canadian service center shipments of steel products in December 2017 decreased by 3.4% from December 2016. Steel product inventories decreased 3.1% from December a year ago. Canadian service center aluminum shipments in December decreased 2.4% from the same month in 2016. Inventories of aluminum products increased 4.7% from December a year ago.