US steel shipments show drop year-on-year
Data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) show that US steel mills shipped 8.79 million net tons in January 2005, a 3.2% decline compared to the 9.08 million net tons shipped in the same period of 2003. However, January shipments rose 4.1% from 8.45 million net tons recorded in December 2004. Shipment comparisons in major market classifications on year-to-year basis:Service centers-distributors: down by 1.7% Automotive: up by 5.5% Construction, contractors' products: down by 12.7% Oil and gas: up by 22.7% Machinery, industrial equip., tools: up by 2.4% Appliances, utensils, cutlery: down by 6.5% Containers, packaging, shipping materials: down by 9.3% Electrical equipment: up by 0.7%