Steel Output Up but Low By Tony Crescenzi About this article: Steel output, which fell off a cliff beginning last September and hit a record low in December, increased to a three-month high in the week ended Friday, the third consecutive weekly increase and the first such string since January 2008. This is another case of "less bad," as the current level is still abysmal from an historical perspective. Still, with investors feeding on signs of "green shoots," the data are supportive of recent trends in the financial markets. These trends will have limits, however, until the economic recovery shows signs of taking root and moving toward a self-sustaining condition. This will take time, and a relapse can easily occur, because the U.S. economy is still on life support. Only the inventory cycle appears to be providing a basis for recovery at present, and it is not likely to be a strong cycle for long. Steel output was... Or, call us at 1-866-321-TSCM (8726) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. Outside the U.S. and in Canada, call 1-212-321-5200. More Stories From RealMoney Durable Goods Up Move Down the Tech Food Chain Jobless Claims Still High Bulls' Tenacity Is the Big Question Mark Should You Buy It? Pharmaceutical Product Development Bad News Trumps All Support for Banks Holds, For Now Bummer, Yields Are on the Rise Money on the Line Makes a Big Difference Structured Products: Unsafe at Any Price MORE STORIES FROM REALMONEY

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