The American steel manufacturer Steel Dynamics reports positive trends in the metal market in the first quarter of 2025. According to their report, during this period the company recorded record steel shipment volumes and price increases, contributing to improved financial performance.
This is reported by Business • Media
Increase in Steel Volumes and Prices
In the first quarter, Steel Dynamics increased steel shipments to nearly 3.5 million tons, which is 6.9% higher than last year and 15.3% compared to the previous quarter. This allowed the company to achieve an operating profit of $230 million, which is 39% higher than the previous quarter’s figures. However, despite the price increase, the average selling price of metal products decreased by $13 to $998 per ton, which affected profitability.
“Steel prices increased during the quarter compared to the lows recorded at the end of 2024, due to reduced imports from trade measures,” said Mark D. Millett, Chairman and CEO of Steel Dynamics.
Market Expectations and Impact of Trade Measures
Millett emphasized that the demand for low-carbon steel products in the U.S. will remain stable in 2025 and the following years. At the same time, in the first quarter, the company noted some level of uncertainty due to recent trade measures and political decisions that may affect the market.
According to him, the reduction in imports caused by new decisions from the International Trade Commission regarding coated flat products is expected to help decrease illegal imports of metal products and support domestic production. In February 2025, imports of metal products into the U.S. decreased by 29.6% compared to the previous month, to 1.62 million tons, while total steel imports fell to 2.23 million tons, which is 27.2% less than the previous month.