Metals service centers’ September steel and aluminum shipment showed signs of improvement in the year-to-year comparison, and inventory levels remained generally steady in the latest Metals Activity Report. The monthly summary of U.S. and Canada service centers’ steel and aluminum inventory was described as a return to growth by the Metals Service Center Institute, though the actual data shows more qualified results.

U.S. service centers shipped 3.67 million tons of steel in September, a rise of just 0.75% over August delivery volumes, but an increase of 8.3% from September 2013 shipments. The daily delivery tonnage increase from the previous month, and with January-to-September shipments now at 32.9 million tons of steel, the U.S. centers have increased their annual total 4.4% over the 2013 year-to-date results

Inventories of steel at U.S. centers rose 3.7% from the August total, and 16.4% from August 2013. At their current rate of delivery, MSCI estimated that U.S. service centers have a 2.6-month supply of steel in stock.

In Canada, September service center shipments of steel increased 8.3% from August to 494,400 tons, an improvement of 4.1% over the September 2013 result. The centers’ average daily deliveries increased from August, but the year-to-date volume is virtually unchanged versus the 2013 nine-month total.

Steel inventories increased slightly from August totals, but are up 16.5% from September 2013 volumes. At the current shipping rate, MSCI estimated the 1.51 million tons of inventory represents 3.1 months of supply steel products in stock.

U.S. service centers shipped 134,100 tons of aluminum products during September, a decrease of 8.1% versus their August aluminum deliveries, but a 10.2% increase over September 2013 shipments. The daily delivery rate is unchanged from August, and at 1.2 million metric tons, the January-September cumulative tonnage for U.S. cents is 8.5% greater than last year’s comparable total.

With aluminum products inventories slightly over the previous month, and nearly 2.0% over the September 2013 inventory total, the current shipping rate indicates U.S. service centers have a 3.0-months supply of aluminum in stock.

The Canadian service centers shipped 14,400 tons of aluminum during September, a rise of 22.6% from August and 15.8% from September 2013. The daily shipment rate rose slightly, ad the nine-month cumulative total increased 3.8% versus the same result for 2013.

Aluminum inventories at Canadian service center declined slightly from the August total, but increased 15.5% from the September 2013 total. At their current shipping rate, MSCI estimated that Canadian service centers are carrying a 2.8-months supply aluminum stock.