News Release

Embargoed until 0900 (UTC) 09 May 2023

S&P Global Steel Users PMI™

Steel users report marginal improvement in operating
conditions
Key findings S&P Global Steel Users PMI
sa, >50 = improvement since previous month
Renewed rises in output, new orders and 60
employment
55
Backlogs rise for the first time in three months
50
Stockpiling at nine-month high amid improved
supply chains 45

40
'10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23

Source: S&P Global.

Operating conditions at global steel users in April improved Demand

for the second time in three months, albeit only marginally.
Output, new business and employment levels returned to
expansion territory following declines in March, while firms
signalled renewed pressure on capacity as outstanding
business increased for the first time in three months. On the
supply side, steel users indicated the strongest instance of
stockpiling of inputs since last July, as they took advantage
of quicker lead times at suppliers and easing price pressures.
Most notably, input prices rose at the softest rate in the near
three-year sequence of inflation.
At 50.4 in April, the seasonally adjusted Global Steel Users
Purchasing Managers Index™ (PMI) – a composite indicator
designed to give an accurate overview of operating conditions
at manufacturers identified as heavy users of steel – rose
from 49.6 in March to indicate a renewed improvement in
the health of the steel-using sector that was the second in
three months. Conditions improved in the US and Asia, with
the former seeing an expansion for the first time in seven
months. On the other hand, firms in Europe saw the sharpest
deterioration since last July.
Output in the steel-using sector rose for only the second time
in 2023 to date and marginally. All three regions registered
expansions, led by the first upturn at US-based firms in
seven months. There was also a renewed rise in Asia, while
firms in Europe recorded the slowest increase since January.
Global steel-using firms registered a renewed increase in
new orders during April. There were returns to growth in both
the US and Asia, whereas European steel users saw the rate
of decline quicken to the fastest for four months.
Capacity
The level of employment in the global steel-using sector
increased in the latest survey period, marking the third rise
in the past four months. All three regions raised staffing
levels, with firms in the US seeing the strongest rise for 10
months, while there was a renewed increase in Asia.
The volume of outstanding business rose for the first time
in three months during April. Purchasing activity rose for
the third month in succession, led by a moderate increase
in Asia. Stocked inputs meanwhile rose at the fastest pace
since last July. Pressure on supply chains continued to ease,
driven by the second-steepest improvement in lead times
across Europe on record.
Prices
Input price inflation at steel users eased to the lowest
seen in the current 35-month inflationary run, and was only
modest overall. Output price inflation also slowed during
April, reaching the softest for 33 months.

© 2023 S&P Global

S&P Global Steel Users PMI™

Steel Users PMI by region

Europe USA Asia
sa, >50 = improvement since previous month
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
'16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23

Source: S&P Global.

Contact
Usamah Bhatti Katherine Smith
Economist Corporate Communications
S&P Global Market Intelligence S&P Global Market Intelligence
T: +44-1344-328-370 T: +1-(781)-301-9311
usamah.bhatti@spglobal.com katherine.smith@spglobal.com

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Survey methodology About S&P Global

The Global Steel Users PMI™ is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) S&P Global provides essential intelligence. We enable governments,
sent to purchasing managers in manufacturers identified as heavy users of steel. The businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so
sample is selected from S&P Global's worldwide PMI survey panels, covering over 40 that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new
countries. investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we
unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world.
Survey responses are weighted by country, based on national steel consumption figures
sourced from S&P Global's Pricing & Purchasing Service. Survey responses are collected We are widely sought after by many of the world’s leading organizations to provide credit
in the second half of each month and indicate the direction of change compared to the ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity
previous month. A diffusion index is calculated for each survey variable. The index is the and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world’s leading
sum of the percentage of ‘higher’ responses and half the percentage of ‘unchanged’ organizations plan for tomorrow, today. www.spglobal.com.
responses. The indices vary between 0 and 100, with a reading above 50 indicating an
overall increase compared to the previous month, and below 50 an overall decrease. The
indices are then seasonally adjusted. About PMI
Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™) surveys are now available for over 40 countries and
The headline figure is the Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI). The PMI is a weighted
also for key regions including the eurozone. They are the most closely watched business
average of the following five indices: New Orders (30%), Output (25%), Employment (20%),
surveys in the world, favoured by central banks, financial markets and business decision
Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15%) and Stocks of Purchases (10%). For the PMI calculation the
makers for their ability to provide up-to-date, accurate and often unique monthly indicators
Suppliers’ Delivery Times Index is inverted so that it moves in a comparable direction to
of economic trends. ihsmarkit.com/products/pmi.html.
the other indices.
Underlying survey data are not revised after publication, but seasonal adjustment factors
may be revised from time to time as appropriate which will affect the seasonally adjusted
data series.
For further information on the PMI survey methodology, please contact economics@
ihsmarkit.com.

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