MSCI: 2014 Starts Out Even for North American Service Centers
02/18/2014 - Monthly shipments of steel and aluminum in both the United States and Canada began 2014 with small gains or losses from January 2013, the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) reports.
However, inventory levels were improved from December 2013, it notes.
U.S. Service Center Activity
U.S. service center steel shipments in January 2014 increased by 0.1% from January 2013. Steel product inventories decreased 2.1% from January a year ago but increased 2.2% from last month.
In January, U.S. service center shipments of aluminum products increased by 6.5% from the same month in 2013. Inventories of aluminum products increased 4.3% from January a year ago.
Canadian Service Center Activity
Canadian service centers shipments of steel products in January 2014 decreased by 5.2% from January 2013. Steel product inventories decreased 20.5% from January a year ago.
In January, Canadian service center aluminum shipments increased 0.9% from the same month in 2013. Inventories of aluminum products decreased 7.0% from January a year ago.
U.S. Service Center Activity
U.S. service center steel shipments in January 2014 increased by 0.1% from January 2013. Steel product inventories decreased 2.1% from January a year ago but increased 2.2% from last month.
In January, U.S. service center shipments of aluminum products increased by 6.5% from the same month in 2013. Inventories of aluminum products increased 4.3% from January a year ago.
Canadian Service Center Activity
Canadian service centers shipments of steel products in January 2014 decreased by 5.2% from January 2013. Steel product inventories decreased 20.5% from January a year ago.
In January, Canadian service center aluminum shipments increased 0.9% from the same month in 2013. Inventories of aluminum products decreased 7.0% from January a year ago.
