MSCI Reports U.S. and Canadian Metals Shipments Continue Below Last Year’s Levels
06/19/2013 - In its latest metals activity report, the Metals Service Center Institute said metals shipments from both U.S. and Canadian service centers in May were below last year's levels.
U.S. Service Center Activity
U.S. service center shipments of steel products in May 2013 decreased 4.8% from May 2012. Steel product inventories at the end of May 2013 decreased 11.6% from May a year ago. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.2 months of supply in inventory. Aluminum shipments by U.S. service centers decreased 2.7% from the same month in 2012. Inventories of aluminum products at the end of May 2013 decreased by 4.6% from May a year ago. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.8 months of supply in inventory.
Canadian Service Center Activity
Canadian service center steel shipments decreased by 10.1% from May 2012. Steel product inventories decreased 7.5% from May a year. The inventory to shipments ratio decreased 3.0% from a year ago. Aluminum shipments in May decreased 0.5% from the same month in 2012. Inventories of aluminum products increased by 2.7% from May a year ago. The inventory to shipments ratio increased by 3.3% from a year ago.
