Zekelman Industries Steel Snapshot – July 2026

Zekelman Industries Steel Snapshot – July 2026

SMU July HR Coil $1,160 up $45 from June. SMU July CR Coil $1,360 up $55 from June. July Chicago #1 Bush at $450, unchanged from June. Steel market indices continue to creep upward due to limited supply, steady demand and muted import competition. After 27 consecutive weeks of increases Nucor has held their CSP steady for 3 consecutive weeks. Mill output is near multi-year highs, while service center inventories are at 2.14 months on hand at the end of June. US steel industry latest capacity utilization is 80.4% (7/6//26). Union contracts with Cliffs and USS expire 9/1/26.  Negotiations to commence week of 7/20/26. HR lead times 7-10 weeks and CR lead times 8-12 weeks Zinc is $1.60/LB $1 U.S. Dollar = $1.42 Canadian Dollar.

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