According to the Metals Service Center Institute,
US steel service center shipments were higher in December 2014 than in the prior year. Year-to-date
US steel shipments were higher than 2013 by 4.2 percent. Canadian results for December 2014 and for the year were similar.
In December 2014,
US service center steel shipments increased by 6.3 percent from December 2013. Steel product inventories increased 18.3 percent from December a year ago. At the current shipping rate, this represents an increase of 11.3 percent from a year ago.
Meanwhile, Canadian service center shipments of steel products increased by 7.5 percent in December 2014 from December 2013. Steel product inventories increased 21.4 percent from December a year ago. At the current shipping rate, this represents an increase of 13.0 percent from a year ago.