U.S. Steel Shipments Rise 5.1% YoY in February 2026
Steel shipments from U.S. mills climbed 5.1% year‑over‑year to 7.4 million short tons in February, driven by a 9% jump in hot‑rolled sheet and strip and a 10% rise in corrosion‑resistant products. Cold‑rolled sheet fell 8% YoY, and overall January‑February shipments were 3.5% higher than the same period last year. U.S. imports of rolled steel fell 38.5% YoY, while total steel imports dropped 37.6%. The data signal a gradual recovery in domestic demand and a tightening of supply.
Steel shipments from U.S. mills climbed 5.1% year‑over‑year to 7.4 million short tons in February, driven by a 9% jump in hot‑rolled sheet and strip and a 10% rise in corrosion‑resistant products. Cold‑rolled sheet fell 8% YoY, and overall January‑February shipments were 3.5% higher than the same period last year. U.S. imports of rolled steel fell 38.5% YoY, while total steel imports dropped 37.6%. The data signal a gradual recovery in domestic demand and a tightening of supply.
The uptick in domestic shipments and sharp decline in imports should reduce supply pressure on the U.S. steel market, supporting prices in the short to medium term. Traders may see a modest rally in steel futures and related alloys, while import‑dependent markets could experience tighter inventories.