US scrap trends outlook: September 2024

Here are the key takeaways from market participants on scrap metal prices, market confidence, inventory and more from our September survey

What is the outlook for the US scrap market?

  • The US ferrous scrap market continues to be dominated by lower demand
  • The trend indicator dropped significantly from 52.1 to 45.1 in September
  • But the actual scrap price showed a 0.52% increase month-on-month
  • The market consensus remained split, with the more positive brokers at 50.0, the cautious sellers at 44.4 and the more pessimistic buyers at 40.7

Read on for some highlights from our US ferrous scrap market survey for September or click here to download your copy of the full US scrap trends outlook.

Scrap market sentiment turned bearish

September’s ferrous scrap market is trending lower, with a significant drop in the trend indicator from 52.1 in August to 45.1. This reflects a bearish sentiment compared to previous months and is largely driven by lower demand across the market. This trend indicator equates to an estimated scrap price decline of 2.6% next month. The actual scrap price registered a modest 0.52% increase month-on-month in September.

Lower demand, higher inventories and the craziest election that our country has ever known.

Survey participant

Divergence in market consensus among market participants

The market consensus remains split, as indicated by a trend indicator consensus of 50.0 among brokers, contrasting with the more pessimistic outlook from buyers, where the indicator sits at 40.7. Sellers maintain a relatively more cautious stance, with their trend indicator at 44.4.

September scrap market stumbles amid weak demand

The market continues to be dominated by lower demand as the primary driver, overshadowing other potential factors. Industry participants may need to brace for further declines as September unfolds.

Overall, the ferrous scrap market’s direction seems clear, but there’s uncertainty among participants on how bearish the market will be for scrap prices in the coming weeks.

What to read next
The MB-STE-0939 steel scrap HMS 1&2 index, domestic composite, delivered Saudi Arabia, was published in error as 1,361.52 riyals per tonne. It has been corrected to 1,360.19 riyals per tonne. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated to reflect this change. This price is part of the Fastmarkets scrap price package. For more information, or to provide […]
Explore the latest on tariffs and the Supreme Court ruling affecting the steel industry and trade practices in the US.
Explore the global green steel markets as they evolve with new policies and a changing economic landscape in 2026.
Explore Brazil's construction sector trends influenced by housing programs and urban infrastructure investments.
Learn how Mexico's tariff package on imported goods impacts the Latin American steel market in 2026 and beyond.
This consultation, which is open until Friday February 13, seeks to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical metals recycling markets, in compliance with the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO) principles for price reporting agencies (PRAs). This includes all elements of our pricing process, our price specifications and publication frequency. View the […]