After Nucor (NUE) announced a $40/t flat rolled price increase yesterday, which was the first increase since February, Jefferies analyst Martin Englert said he thinks peers are likely to follow. While the increase may not immediately raise prices, it is a move in the right direction that aids more positive sector sentiment, Englert tell investors. The analyst, who advises investors to increase exposure to steel stocks, names Nucor, Steel Dynamics (STLD), Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) and Commercial Metals (CMC) as his top U.S. picks Other publicly traded companies in the steel space include AK Steel (AKS), ArcelorMittal (MT), TimkenSteel (TMST) and U.S. Steel (X).

Unusual total active option classes on open include: Steel Dynamics (STLD), Gildan Activewear (GIL), Danaher (DHR), Altimeter Growth (GRAB), Childrens Place (PLCE), ASML (ASML), US Bancorp (USB), iShares Barclays 7 to 10 Year Treasury Bond Fund (IEF), AMC Entertainment (AMC), and Abbott (ABT).

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Metals & Mining Analyst Englert, along with Rye Druzin of Argus Media, discuss recent flat rolled steel pricing, supply and demand trends, and the near-term outlook for fundamentals (relevant companies ASTL CLF NUE STLC STLD X RS WS) on an Analyst/Industry conference call to be held on April 19 at 11 am.

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JPMorgan raised the firm's price target on Nucor to $195 from $180 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The analyst expects improved earnings quarter-over-quarter in Q1 on higher realized lagged contract pricing and seasonally stronger shipments, namely for sheet products. The firm feels integrated steel mills could see better than expected auto shipments offset weak service center activity while mini mills should see further easing in downstream earnings driven by both seasonality and realized pricing yet to stabilize.

Deutsche Bank downgraded ArcelorMittal (MT) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $31, down from $34. The stock has recovered after the cyclical crunch last year, supported by the removal of some overhang risks - including the Kazakhstan mill divestment post the severe accident and possible involvement in the U.S. Steel (X) bidding process - as well as the rebound in the cycle and intensified share buybacks, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm adds however that the demand rebound in many core markets remains soft, as Chinese data remains weak and continues to weigh on steel and iron ore markets.