U.S. Capacity Utilization scored a 64.2% in April, down 12.7% month on month, (m/m), its third monthly decreasing for the year. On a year on year (y/y) comparison the capacity utilization was a modest -21.8%.

Mexico Capacity Utilization scored a 44.7% in April, down 44.3% month on month, (m/m), its third monthly decreasing for the year. On a year on year (y/y) comparison the capacity utilization was a modest -44.7%.

Canada Capacity Utilization scored a 79.8% in April, down 2.0% quarter on quarter (Q/Q). On a year on year (y/y) comparison the capacity utilization was a modest -4.0%.

Figure 1 charts capacity utilization from 2017 to present. Capacity utilization and production picked up at the beginning of the year as is typical for January and February.

At Gerdau we regularly monitor the manufacturing capacity utilization date issued by the Federal Reserve because it provides excellent insight into the health of US manufacturing activity. We know that when manufacturing is performing well, so are steel sales and want to keep you our valued customers and readers informed.