Some of the top publicly traded steel companies include: ArcelorMittal (MT) which is both the world’s largest steel producer, and the world’s largest publicly traded steel producer

United States Steel (X), which is the largest domestic producer of steel at 21.5 million metric tons. Like other competitors, United States Steel also owns their own iron ore mines in the United States, thereby providing it with a significant operational and cost advantage over other domestic producers.

Nucor Corporation (NUE) which is based in Charlotte, North Carolina is the 12th largest steel producer in the world, coming in at 20.0 million metric tons. The company specializes in producing industrial grade steel for bridges, tunnels, and machines.

AK Steel (AKS) which is based in West Chester, Ohio is one of the largest domestic producers of steel, focusing principally on carbon stainless steel, and electrical steel. Just recently, AK Steel suggested that it may idle its Ashland, Kentucky plant as a slump in demand might force production cuts.

Companies like Schnitzer Steel (SCHN) and Commercial Metals (CMC) also make the portfolio as second derivative plays on the scrap or recyclable steel market. In 2007, the United States exported $10 billion dollars of scrapped steel

Worthington Industries (WOR) a steel producer based in the United States with over $3 billion dollars in annual sales is a leveraged steel play on the automotive sector. Over 26% of Worthington’s steel sales are tied to automotive sector, with 15% of total sales coming from General Motors (GM), Ford (F), and Chrysler alone.