Jun. 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM ET6 min read

Cleveland-Cliffs Stock Soars: Is the Steel Tariff the Catalyst?

Tim BohenAvatar
Written by Tim Bohen
Reviewed by Ben Sturgill Fact-checked by Ellis Hobbs

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.’s stocks have been trading up by 4.31 percent amid positive sentiment from recent market developments.

Latest Market Moves

  • Recent announcements of doubling tariffs on metal imports sent Cleveland-Cliffs stock surging by 23%. The news of higher tariffs positively influenced steel stocks, creating ripples across the industry.
  • President Trump’s declaration to implement a 50% steel tariff triggered a sector-wide rally, leading to considerable gains for companies like Steel Dynamics, Nucor, and Cleveland-Cliffs.
  • CLF’s premarket trading recorded a significant rise of nearly 31.9%, showcasing a strong rebound from the previous decline, driven by market reactions to trade policies.
  • The market showed unwavering confidence as Cleveland-Cliffs’ shares skyrocketed on discussion of new tariff strategies, highlighting strong investor faith in the company’s potential growth.

Candlestick Chart

Live Update At 16:02:47 EST: On Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. stock [NYSE: CLF] is trending up by 4.31%! Discover the key drivers behind this movement as well as our expert analysis in the detailed breakdown below.

Cleveland-Cliffs Recent Earnings at a Glance

As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade says, “I focus on what a stock is doing, not what I want it to do. Let the stock prove itself before you make a move.” This approach is crucial for traders who often get caught up in their own expectations or biases about what a stock should be doing. By concentrating on the actual performance and behavior of the stock, traders can make more informed decisions. Monitoring a stock’s movement and allowing it to demonstrate its potential before committing can help avoid premature decisions that could lead to unnecessary risks. In the fast-paced world of trading, having this discipline and patience is what separates successful traders from those who let emotions drive their strategies.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., a major player in the steel sector, has been significantly influenced by newer trade policies, notably the augmented tariffs on steel imports. Such policies have shaped the company’s financial landscape. The recent spikes in stock values can be attributed to optimistic market speculation following the tariff announcements, which have provided a safety net of sorts for the company amidst volatile conditions.

Looking at their financial health, CLF’s revenue has been on an upward trend with a rather robust figure of approximately $19B. Commanding a gross profit margin of 100 illustrates the firm’s strong control over its production costs relative to sales. While uncertainties loom over profit margins and operating income, the latest financial reports depict a company at a crossroads — balancing the cumbersome weight of debts with the buoyancy of strategic decisions, like optimizing capital expenditure and asset turnover rates.

In terms of balance sheets, Cleveland-Cliffs’ position remains strong, with significant working capital to address short-term obligations. Nonetheless, challenges persist in effectively managing debts, as demonstrated by a total debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, signaling substantial leverage which requires keen maneuvering.

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Despite these operational challenges, the company’s recent market performance marks an opportune turnaround, underpinned by the government’s trade strategy. Reflecting on their approach, the strategy seems anchored on leveraging political winds to secure market advantages.

Navigating the Steel Tariff Impact

Recent tariff announcements have set the stage for Cleveland-Cliffs, with steel stocks riding the wave of policy-driven optimism. Markets reacted positively, leading to a pronounced uptick in shares, which is indicative of prevalent investor confidence. This stock surge can be attributed to pivotal elements like changes in international trade dynamics, affecting both import reliance and domestic production capacities, making CLF a focal point of discussions on industrial growth.

Analysis of recent stock behavior underlined a resilience against typical cyclical downturns, reinforcing the unique position of metal production sectors. By intricately navigating these unstable political terrains, Cleveland-Cliffs demonstrates how perceived threats can pivot into visible financial gains.

In light of enhanced trade restrictions, the supply chain dynamics experience alteration, enabling domestic producers to carve out larger market footprints. This reshaping is pivotal as players like Cleveland-Cliffs capitalize on geographic advantages to outpace international competitors constrained by tariff-induced expense spikes.

Moreover, the company’s agile adaptations resonate well with strategic planning narratives. By sprawling into newer market segments and adopting flexible production models, Cleveland-Cliffs repositions itself as more than just a steel producer, turning into an entity manifesting resilience and adaptability.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead?

The current momentum harnessed by Cleveland-Cliffs, largely bolstered by external developments like the trade policy overhaul, showcases a powerful narrative: one where calculated risk-taking reaps significant market rewards. As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade says, “Success in trading is more about cutting losses quickly than finding winners.” This sentiment resonates with the strategic maneuvers that Cleveland-Cliffs is currently navigating.

Amidst this journey of acquiring strategic and operational strength, the pivotal question remains: Will Cleveland-Cliffs sustain its current momentum, leveraging it as a springboard to further growth, or is this surge a mere ephemeral reflex to external movements? In essence, their approach to trading, reflective of Bohen’s ethos, may prove critical in navigating the steel industry’s turbulent waters.

To truly uncover this dynamic marketplace’s nuances, staying attuned to global policy shifts and their implications enables stakeholders to make informed, strategic decisions as the steel industry charter continues to evolve. Balancing the dual challenges of growth and risk, the narrative of Cleveland-Cliffs offers valuable insights into the art of market navigation.

This is stock news, not investment advice. StocksToTrade News delivers real-time stock market updates tailored to highlight the key catalysts driving short-term price movements. Our coverage is designed for active traders and investors who thrive in fast-moving markets, with a focus on volatile sectors like penny stocks, AI stocks, Robinhood stocks and other momentum plays. From earnings reports and FDA approvals to mergers, new contracts, and unusual trading volume, we break down the events that can spark significant price action.

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