Nucor (NUE) (OKS) (STLD) (PCG) (PEG) (WBMD) (WMT) (NFX) Ratings, Price Targets

Nucor Co. (NUE), Oneok Partners LP (OKS), Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD), PG&E Co. (PCG), Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PEG), Webmd Health (WBMD), Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) and Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.
Nucor Co. (NUE) was downgraded by Longbow Research from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Oneok Partners LP (OKS) was downgraded by Credit Suisse from an "Outperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) was downgraded by Longbow Research from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

PG&E Co. (PCG) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PEG) was downgraded by Atlantic Equities from an "Overweight" rating to an "Underweight" rating.

Webmd Health Corp (WBMD) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs from a "Neutral" rating to a "Sell" rating.

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) was downgraded by Raymond James from a "Strong Buy" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) was downgraded by Citigroup from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

TriQuint (TQNT) (CGNX) (COLM) (STLD) (WOR) Downgraded

TriQuint Semiconductor (NASDAQ:TQNT), Cognex (NASDAQ:CGNX), Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ:COLM), Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD) and Worthington Industries (NYSE:WOR) downgraded by analysts.



TriQuint Semiconductor was downgraded by Barclays from an "Overweight" rating to an "Equal Weight" rating. They slashed their price target on the company from $12 to $6.



Cognex was downgraded by Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) from an "Overweight" rating to a "Neutral" rating.



Columbia Sportswear was downgraded by FBR Capital Markets to a "Market Perform" rating and a price target of $61. They cited valuation as the catalyst behind the call.



Steel Dynamics was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.



Worthington Industries was downgraded by Goldman Sachs from a "Neutral" rating to a "Sell" rating.

Nucor (NUE) (X) (ZX) (AKS) (BTX) (STLD) Get New Coverage

Coverage was initiated on Nucor Co. (NYSE: NUE), U.S. Steel (NYSE: X), China Zenix Auto International (NYSE: ZX), AK Steel Holding Co. (NYSE: AKS), BioTime Inc. (NYSE: BTX) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD).



UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) initiated coverage on U.S. Steel (X). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $38.00 on the company.



William Blair initiated coverage on China Zenix Auto International (ZX). They placed an “Outperform” rating on the company.



UBS AG initiated coverage on AK Steel Holding Co. (AKS). They placed a “Buy” rating and a price target of $12.00 on the company.



UBS AG initiated coverage on Nucor Co. (NUE). They placed a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $35.00 on the company.



WBB Securities initiated coverage on BioTime Inc. (BTX). They placed a “Speculative Buy” rating and a price target of $6.00 on the company.



UBS AG initiated coverage on Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD). They placed a “Neutral” rating and a price target of $13.00 on the company.

Ratings on (STLD) (IPI) (MOS) (BTU) (SYK) Reiterated by Analysts

Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD), Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE: IPI), The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU) and Stryker (NYSE: SYK) had ratings reiterated.

Dahlman Rose reiterated a "Buy" rating Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD). They have a price target of $26.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Stryker (SYK).

Bank of America (NYSE:JPM) reiterated a "Neutral" rating on Intrepid Potash, Inc. (IPI).

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated a "Buy" rating on The Mosaic Company (MOS).

Dahlman Rose reiterated a "Buy" rating on Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU).

Coverage on (NUE) (SCHN) (STLD) (JDAS) (JNJ) Initiated by Analysts

Analysts initiated coverage on Nucor Co. (NYSE: NUE), Schnitzer Steel (NASDAQ: SCHN), Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD), JDA Software Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: JDAS) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) initiated coverage on Nucor Co. (NUE). They placed a “buy” rating and a price target of $52.00 on the company.

Jefferies initiated coverage on Schnitzer Steel (SCHN). They placed a “buy” rating and a $70.00 price target on the company.

Jefferies initiated coverage on Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD). They placed a “buy” rating and a $20.00 price target on the company.

The Benchmark Company initiated coverage on JDA Software Group, Inc. (JDAS). They placed a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price target on the company.

Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) initiated coverage on Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). They placed a “hold” rating and a $73.00 price target on the company.

Nucor Co. closed Friday at $40.93, falling $0.58, or 1.40 percent. Schnitzer Steel closed at $57.96, losing $0.61, or 1.04 percent. Steel Dynamics, Inc. ended the day at $16.23, down $0.21, or 1.28 percent. JDA Software Group, Inc. closed at $32.71, gaining $0.17, or 0.52 percent. Johnson & Johnson closed at $67.57, dropping $0.35, or 0.52 percent.

Steel Dynamics (STLD) in the Years Ahead

Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD) will no doubt be affected by the proposed slowdown in steel production in China which will also affect imports, as China will start rolling blackouts earlier than usual, which always is directed towards the steel industry in the country in the beginning of the process and onwards.

Tightening of the economy is also a major factor as China continues to attempt to rein in inflation after overstimulating the economy by printing money.

According to the China Iron & Steel Association, the Chinese government is pushing to slow down economic growth, with one of the consequences being the demand for steel slowing down.

Expectations are steel consumption in China will drop by up to 4.6 percent in 2011, with the minimum outlook being a 2.6 percent drop in consumption.

Higher input costs and product prices are weighing heavily on the industry, and it's not clear how much the industry will be able to past on to their customers before they cut back on buying.

Industry observers see the next five year as being challenging for the industry as far as growth goes.

Steel Dynamics, Inc. participates in manufacturing and marketing of steel products in the United States.

Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD) closed Friday at $55.08, falling $1.78, or 3.13 percent.

Steel's (TX) (SYNL) (ROCK) (CHOP) (STLD) and China Demand

As goes China so goes the demand for steel, and in that regard it doesn't look good for steel companies like Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX), Synalloy Corp. (Nasdaq:SYNL), Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:ROCK), China Gerui Advanced Materials (Nasdaq:CHOP) and Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD), which are going to be pressured in the years ahead from declining demand from the Middle Kingdom.

According to the China Iron & Steel Association, the Chinese government is pushing to slow down economic growth, which will result in demand for steel in the country to slow down.

Estimates under the current scenario for the steel sector have steel consumption declining in China by a minimum of 2.6 percent to as high as 4.6 percent in 2011.

Globally it doesn't look good for the next five years or so either, as the top estimates are for steel demand to grow at a 5 percent rate annually, although many think it'll be less than that.

In the short term, the U.S. steel industry should ship product at 14 percent above 2010 levels, reaching about 95 million tons in 2011.

All the companies are being affected by soaring iron ore prices and other inputs, which are putting stress on margins and earnings because buyers are hesitating to acquire product at too high of prices; something that will continue for several years.

For the steel industry, there isn't much to be optimistic about, no matter how the situation is spun. It's going to remain tough for some time.

Steel Dynamics closed Wednesday at $17.36, falling $0.41, or 2.31 percent.

Steel Firms (STLD) (HAYN) (CMC) (AKS) (MT) Pressured on Low Growth Outlook

The steel sector, even with some strong recent quarters from companies, looks weak, as over the next five years it is projected to grow at a pace of about 5 percent or less annually, placing downward pressure on steel producers like Steel Dynamics Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD), Haynes International Inc. (Nasdaq:HAYN), Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC), AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS) and ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT). And that's the more positive outlook by most analysts. A large number don't believe growth will even happen at that rate.

A majority of steel companies are being pressured to increase prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings as the price of inputs and commodities rise.

That's not to say steel demand is falling completely, because it's not. But rising demand in some segments doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is experiencing. A number of weak economies around the world could cut also into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

There's no way to spin the outlook for the steel industry positively. The industry will struggle for years even in the midst of strong demand in some segments, as they attempt to work out the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from producers.

Steel Dynamics closed Friday at $18.19, up $0.01, or 0.06 percent.

Ternium (TX) (STLD) (SIM) (CMC) (TS) Pressured on Low Growth Steel Outlook

The steel industry, even with some strong recent quarters, looks weak, as over the next five years it is expected to grow at a pace of about 5 percent or less annually, putting downward pressure on steel companies like Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX), Steel Dynamics Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD), Grupo Simec S.A.B. de C.V. (AMEX:SIM), Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC) and Tenaris SA (NYSE:TS); although they traded a little stronger Thursday.

A majority of steel companies are being forced to raise prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings as the price of inputs and commodities rise.

That's not to say steel demand is falling, because it's not. But rising demand doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is experiencing. A number of weak economies around the world could cut also into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

There's no way to spin the outlook for the steel industry positively. The industry will struggle for years even in the midst of strong demand, as they attempt to work out the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from producers.

It also looks like the U.S. economy is starting to sputter again, and that's not good news for the steel industry either.

Schnitzer (SCHN) (STLD) (GNI) (SID) Close Mixed on Growth, Cost Concerns

The steel industry, even with some strong recent quarters, looks weak, as over the next five years it is expected to grow at a pace of about 5 percent or less annually, putting downward pressure on steel producers like Steel Dynamics Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD), Great Northern Iron Ore Proper (NYSE:GNI), Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE:SID) and Schnitzer Steel Industries (NASDAQ:SCHN), which closed mixed on Tuesday. And that's the more positive outlook by the majority of analysts. Many don't think growth will even happen at those modest levels.

A majority of steel companies are being forced to raise prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings as the price of inputs and commodities rise.

That's not to say steel demand is falling, because it's not. But rising demand doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is experiencing. A number of weak economies around the world could cut also into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

Of course there a large varieties of companies with steel exposure, and each segment of the sector can represent strengths or weaknesses. So each unit and company will have to be watched closely for performance of course.

There's no way to spin the outlook for the steel industry in a positive manner. The industry will struggle for years even in the midst of strong demand as it attempts to work through the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from producers.

Some winners will emerge, but over time it's not easy to pick any one that's going to stand out. Some have looked to larger companies who may be able to navigate through the higher costs better, but we'll see if that's the case, as it isn't always that simple because of the wide variety of products and costs and pricing power with each one.

Schnitzer (SCHN) (STLD) (GNI) (SID) Close Mixed on Growth, Cost Concerns

The steel industry, even with some strong recent quarters, looks weak, as over the next five years it is expected to grow at a pace of about 5 percent or less annually, putting downward pressure on steel producers like Steel Dynamics Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD), Great Northern Iron Ore Proper (NYSE:GNI), Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE:SID) and Schnitzer Steel Industries (NASDAQ:SCHN), which closed mixed on Tuesday. And that's the more positive outlook by the majority of analysts. Many don't think growth will even happen at those modest levels.

A majority of steel companies are being forced to raise prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings as the price of inputs and commodities rise.

That's not to say steel demand is falling, because it's not. But rising demand doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is experiencing. A number of weak economies around the world could cut also into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

Of course there a large varieties of companies with steel exposure, and each segment of the sector can represent strengths or weaknesses. So each unit and company will have to be watched closely for performance of course.

There's no way to spin the outlook for the steel industry in a positive manner. The industry will struggle for years even in the midst of strong demand as it attempts to work through the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from producers.

Some winners will emerge, but over time it's not easy to pick any one that's going to stand out. Some have looked to larger companies who may be able to navigate through the higher costs better, but we'll see if that's the case, as it isn't always that simple because of the wide variety of products and costs and pricing power with each one.

POSCO (PKX) (USAP) (ZEUS) (GGB) Pressured on Low Growth Outlook

The steel industry, even with some strong recent quarters, looks weak, as over the next five years it is expected to grow at a pace of about 5 percent or less annually, putting downward pressure on steel producers like Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB), Olympic Steel Inc. (Nasdaq:ZEUS), Universal Stainless & Alloy (Nasdaq:USAP) and POSCO (NYSE:PKX), even with a couple of decent quarterly results coming from their peers, like Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD). And that's the more positive outlook by the majority of analysts. Many don't think growth will happen even at that rate.

A majority of steel companies are being pressured to raise prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings as the price of inputs and commodities jump.

That's not to say steel demand is falling, because it's not. But the slowly rising demand doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is experiencing at this time. A number of weak economies around the world could also cut into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

There's no way to spin the outlook for the steel industry in a positive manner. The industry will struggle for years, even in the midst of better demand, as it attempts to work out the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from the producers.

POSCO closed Thursday at $111.13, falling $2.10, or 1.85 percent. Universal Stainless & Alloy ended the session at $32.79, gaining $0.64, or 1.99 percent. Olympic Steel Inc. closed at $30.86, up $0.15, or 0.49 percent. Gerdau S.A. closed at $12.13, down $0.01, or 0.08 percent.

Ternium (TX) (MTL) (SID) (AKS) Pressured on Low Growth Outlook

The steel industry, even with some strong recent quarters, looks weak, as over the next five years it is expected to grow at a pace of about 5 percent or less annually, putting downward pressure on steel producers like Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX), Mechel OAO (NYSE:MTL), Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE:SID) and AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS), even with a couple of decent quarterly results coming from their peers, like Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD). And that's the more positive outlook by the majority of analysts. Many don't think growth will happen even at that rate.

A majority of steel companies are being pressured to raise prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings as the price of inputs and commodities jump.

That's not to say steel demand is falling, because it's not. But the slowly rising demand doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is experiencing at this time. A number of weak economies around the world could also cut into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

There's no way to spin the outlook for the steel industry in a positive manner. The industry will struggle for years, even in the midst of better demand, as it attempts to work out the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from the producers.

Ternium S.A. closed Thursday at $33.67, falling $0.01, or 0.03 percent. Mechel OAO ended the session at $28.98, gaining $0.23, or 0.80 percent. AK Steel Holding Corporation closed at $30.86, dropping $0.11, or 0.68 percent. Gerdau S.A. closed at $15.94, up $0.07, or 0.44 percent.

Harsco (HSC) (GSI) (CHOP) (SCHN) Pressured on Low Growth Outlook

The steel industry, even with some strong recent quarters, looks weak, as over the next five years it is expected to grow at a pace of about 5 percent or less annually, putting downward pressure on steel producers like General Steel Holdings, (NYSE:GSI), China Gerui Advanced Materials (Nasdaq:CHOP), Schnitzer Steel Industries (NASDAQ:SCHN) and Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC), even with a couple of decent quarterly results coming from their peers, like Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD). And that's the more positive outlook by the majority of analysts. Many don't think growth will happen even at that rate.

A majority of steel companies are being pressured to raise prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings as the price of inputs and commodities jump.

That's not to say steel demand is falling, because it's not. But the slowly rising demand doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is experiencing at this time. A number of weak economies around the world could also cut into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

There's no way to spin the outlook for the steel industry in a positive manner. The industry will struggle for years, even in the midst of better demand, as it attempts to work out the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from the producers.

Harsco Corporation closed Thursday at $34.41, gaining $0.44, or 1.30 percent. Schnitzer Steel Industries ended the session at $60.67, falling $0.02, or 0.10 percent. China Gerui Advanced Materials closed at $4.81, up $0.85, or 1.93 percent. General Steel Holdings closed at $2.12, level with its prior close.

Nucor's (NUE) Profits Soar Five Times in 1Q

Not long after Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD) reported a stellar quarter, surprising analysts, Nucor Corp. (NYSE:NUE) has followed it up with a solid quarter as well, with profits soaring by about five times what they were in the same quarter last year.

Net earnings were $159.8 million, or 50 cents a share, compared with a profit of $31 million, or 10 cents a share, last year.

Sales climbed 32 percent to $4.83 billion, due to a 22 percent increase in the average sales price per ton and a 9 percent increase in shipments.

Analysts were looking for earnings of 36 cents a share and revenue of $4.47 billion.

The company said, "Profitability improved significantly as we progressed through the quarter, as utilization rates increased and as price increases for steel mill products caught up with higher raw material costs. Although we are seeing some signs of market weakness that may impact results near the end of the second quarter, we expect second quarter results to be an improvement over the first quarter. We continue to see slow, steady improvement in real demand in certain end markets.

"This is most evident in products sold to the manufacturing/industrial sector, including special bar quality products, sheet and plate. We are keeping a watchful eye on imports as any measurable increase in import levels will be a threat to current market stability, particularly in the sheet markets. The most challenging markets for our products continue to be those associated with residential and non-residential construction. We will provide quantitative earnings guidance later in the quarter."

Markets most under pressure continue to be those in relationship to residential and non-residential construction.

Nucor was trading at $46.23, gaining $0.25, or 0.54 percent, as of 12:30 PM EDT.

Steel Companies Nucor (NUE) (GGB) (WOR) (CPSL) Get Boost from Consumption Report, (STLD)

Investors have suddenly become steel industry and company believers after the performance of Steel Dynamics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD) and the release of estimates for glow steel production by the World Steel Association, which pushed up the share prices of Nucor (NYSE:NUE), Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR), China Precision Steel, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPSL) and Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB) Wednesday.

Steel Dynamics gave as its reason for the optimism as growing backlogs in the company’s structural and rail division, but quietly added some of that could have been weather-related.

Also the projected global steel consumption growth of 5.9 percent didn't included the potential devastating effect the slowdown in Japan will have, as it's the largest consumer of steel in the world. Without that, the numbers are pretty meaningless. And it will take time, as with everything related to Japan at this time, before we know the full impact on steel and other sectors.

Gerdau S.A. closed Wednesday at $12.14, gaining $0.32, or 2.71 percent. China Precision Steel, Inc. ended the day at $1.54, up $0.01, or 0.65 percent. Worthington Industries, Inc. closed at $21.00, jumping $0.34, or 1.65 percent. Nucor closed the session at $46.48, rising $0.78, or 1.71 percent.

Mechel (MTL) (ZEUS) (HAYN) (CLF) Get Boost from Steel Consumption Report, (STLD)

Investors have suddenly become steel industry and company believers after the performance of Steel Dynamics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD) and the release of estimates for glow steel production by the World Steel Association, which pushed up the share prices of Mechel OAO (NYSE:MTL), Olympic Steel Inc. (Nasdaq:ZEUS), Haynes International Inc. (Nasdaq:HAYN) and Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE:CLF) Wednesday.

Steel Dynamics gave as its reason for the optimism as growing backlogs in the company’s structural and rail division, but quietly added some of that could have been weather-related.

Also the projected global steel consumption growth of 5.9 percent didn't included the potential devastating effect the slowdown in Japan will have, as it's the largest consumer of steel in the world. Without that, the numbers are pretty meaningless. And it will take time, as with everything related to Japan at this time, before we know the full impact on steel and other sectors.

Haynes International Inc. closed Wednesday at $49.89, gaining $1.14, or 2.34 percent. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. ended the day at $95.91, up $1.01, or 1.06 percent. Olympic Steel Inc. closed at $30.71, jumping $0.15, or 0.49 percent. Mechel OAO closed the session at $28.75, rising $0.69, or 2.46 percent.

Synalloy (SYNL) (AKS) (CMC) (IIIN) Get Boost from Steel Consumption Report, (STLD)

Investors have suddenly become steel industry and company believers after the performance of Steel Dynamics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD) and the release of estimates for glow steel production by the World Steel Association, which pushed up the share prices of AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS), Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC), Synalloy Corp. (Nasdaq:SYNL) and Insteel Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:IIIN) Wednesday.

Steel Dynamics gave as its reason for the optimism as growing backlogs in the company’s structural and rail division, but quietly added some of that could have been weather-related.

Also the projected global steel consumption growth of 5.9 percent didn't included the potential devastating effect the slowdown in Japan will have, as it's the largest consumer of steel in the world. Without that, the numbers are pretty meaningless. And it will take time, as with everything related to Japan at this time, before we know the full impact on steel and other sectors.

Insteel Industries Inc. closed Wednesday at $13.30, gaining $0.07, or 0.53 percent. Synalloy Corp. ended the day at $14.05, up $0.39, or 2.86 percent. Commercial Metals Company closed at $16.43, jumping $0.27, or 1.67 percent. AK Steel Holding Corporation closed the session at $16.18, rising $0.10, or 0.62 percent.

Steel Companies POSCO (PKX) (MT) (CRS) (SCHN) Get Boost from Consumption Report, (STLD)

Investors have suddenly become steel industry and company believers after the performance of Steel Dynamics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STLD) and the release of estimates for glow steel production by the World Steel Association, which pushed up the share price of ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT), Carpenter Technology (NYSE:CRS), Schnitzer Steel Industries (NASDAQ:SCHN) and POSCO (NYSE:PKX) Wednesday.

Steel Dynamics gave as its reason for the optimism as growing backlogs in the company’s structural and rail division, but quietly added some of that could have been weather-related.

Also the projected global steel consumption growth of 5.9 percent didn't included the potential devastating effect the slowdown in Japan will have, as it's the largest consumer of steel in the world. Without that, the numbers are pretty meaningless. And it will take time, as with everything related to Japan at this time, before we know the full impact on steel and other sectors.

POSCO closed Wednesday at $113.23, gaining $2.73, or 2.47 percent. Schnitzer Steel Industries ended the day at $60.55, up $0.94, or 1.58 percent. Carpenter Technology closed at $44.05, jumping $0.85, or 1.97 percent. ArcelorMittal closed the session at $36.11, rising $1.15, or 3.29 percent.

Mechel (MTL) (ZEUS) (TS) (TX) (WOR) Up on Steel Dynamics' Results

Even though the results of Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD) gave steel stocks like Mechel OAO (NYSE:MTL), Olympic Steel Inc. (Nasdaq:ZEUS), Tenaris SA (NYSE:TS), Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX) and Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) a big boost Tuesday, overall, the steel industry looks weak over the next five years, as it is expected to grow at a pace of 5 percent or less annually, putting downward pressure on steel producers like. And that's the more optimistic outlook by analysts. Most don't think growth will be at that rate.

Most steel companies are being forced to raise prices on their products in order to protect margins and earnings, as the price of inputs and commodities rise.

That's not to say steel demand is dropping, because it's not. But rising demand doesn't guarantee rising profits, as the industry is finding out. Weak economies around the world could cut into demand if steel prices and products rise to prohibitive levels.

There's no way to spin this in a positive manner. The industry will struggle for years even in the midst of strong demand, as they attempt to work out the balance between steel demand, rising inputs, and ability for companies and countries to afford price increases from producers.

As for Steel Dynamics, it admits bad weather in February could have been the reason for the jump in March shipments. Even if steel companies in general have a good quarter to report, it's very doubtful it has changed the outlook over the next several years. It could be a chance to make some quick money though.

Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD) closed Tuesday at $18.46, gaining $1.00, or 5.73 percent. Worthington Industries, Inc. closed at $20.66, rising $0.59, or 2.94 percent. Ternium S.A. closed at $32.87, jumping $0.32, or 0.98 percent. Tenaris SA ended the session at $48.74, increasing $0.89, or 1.86 percent. Olympic Steel Inc. closed at $30.56, gaining $0.02, or 0.07 percent. Mechel OAO closed at $28.06, gaining $0.77, or 2.82 percent.