During the Christmas season, the US steel production capacity utilization fell to 60.9% which is the lowest level since December 26, 2009.

Last week, US crude steel production of 1.456 million short tons, down 4.4% month on month and 18.9% year on year, capacity utilization fell to 60.9% from last week's 63.7%.

American Iron and Steel Institute expect that fourth quarter crude steel capacity of 31.4 million short tons, down 0.6% year on year. So far this year, US crude steel output is 86.843 million tons, down 9.3% year on year, the annual average capacity utilization rate of about 71%, compared to 77.5% of last year.

                                   XINSTEEL NEWS