US steel capacity utilization at 77.6% in week ended May 24: AISI

US steel capacity utilization at 77.6% in week ended May 24: AISI

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that US domestic raw steel production for the week ending May 24, 2025, was 1.720 million net tons, with a capacity utilization rate of 76.6 percent. This marks a 1.1 percent decrease from the previous week, which saw production at 1.740 million net tons and a capacity utilization rate of 77.5 percent. Compared to the same week in 2024, production has increased by 0.6 percent, with a capacity utilization rate of 76.9 percent [1].

Year-to-date production through May 24, 2025, stands at 32.786 million net tons, with a capacity utilization rate of 75.0 percent. This represents a 0.8 percent decline from the same period last year, when production was 33.043 million net tons and the capacity utilization rate was 76.1 percent [1].

In related news, Jefferies analyst Chris LaFemina downgraded his rating on United States Steel Corp. (NYSE:X) to Hold from Buy on Monday, May 26. The downgrade came after President Trump approved a potential partnership between United States Steel and Nippon Steel Corp. (OTC:NPSCY). LaFemina raised his price target from $50 to $55, the price Nippon agreed to pay in the event of a complete takeover. Despite the stock's recent rally, LaFemina believes the agreement's details remain vague and advises caution until more specifics are confirmed [2].

References:
[1] https://www.steelorbis.com/steel-news/latest-news/us-raw-steel-production-is-down-11-percent-week-on-week-1393514.htm
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jeffries-downgrades-united-states-steel-175130300.html