The American Iron and Steel Institute reported that for the month of April 2008, US steel mills shipped 9.403 million net tons, a 6.3% YoY increase from the 8.849 million net tons shipped in April 2007 and a 2.7% increase from the 9.158 million net tons shipped in the previous month, March 2008.

A year to year comparison of year to date shipments shows the following changes within major market classifications:
1. Service centers and distributors up by 4.4%
2. Automotive down by 2.2%
3. Construction and contractors’ products down by 2.9%
4. Oil and gas up by 7.4%

AISI’s estimate is based on reports from companies representing about 75% of the US’s raw steel capability and includes revisions for previous months and year.