Scrap Metal, Recycling, Global Economic and Commodities Report 6/15/26

This is the Recycling, Scrap Metal, Commodities and Economic Report, June 15th, 2026, produced by BENLEE Roll-off trailers to support our customers, suppliers, and partners.

U.S. weekly raw steel production rose to 1.877MT up .3% from last week and up 6.8% YTD on 79.3% capacity utilization. This was on the 50% steel tariff protection and slow growth in the economy

Crude oil WTI price fell to $84.88/b as there are reports of a Middle East deal which would lower prices further.

U.S. weekly crude oil production rose to 13.79Mb/d. Higher oil prices are bringing higher production.

The U.S. weekly crude oil rig count rose to 433. Higher oil prices bring a higher rig count as well.

Scrap Steel #1 HMS Price Composite was steady at $365/GT on the continued balance of supply and demand.

Hot-Roll Coil steel price rose to $60.25/cwt. which is $1,205/T. This was on the 50% steel tariff protection that allows steel companies to raise prices. That is great for the steel industry, but the cost for cars, appliances and buildings are rising.

Copper Price rose to $6.47/lb. on a possible Middle East deal, but concerns of a slowing global economy.

Aluminum price fell to $1.61/lb., which is $3,543/MT the lowest in a month on concerns of slower global growth. Also, a possible Middle East deal frees up 9% of global aluminum being blocked in the Strait of Hormuz.

China May global exports surged 19.4% to a record high. Global companies are building inventories to preempt price increases. Also, U.S. data centers are importing semiconductors and other AI hardware.

U.S. May existing home sales rose 3.2% to an annualized 4.17M, but remain low on high mortgage rates.

U.S. May producer prices which are wholesale prices rose 6.5% vs last year the highest in about 3.5 years. Gasoline, Diesel, and jet fuel all rose as services rose as well.

U.S. May annual consumer inflation rate, CPI rose to 4.2% the highest in over 3 years. Gasoline jumped 40.5%, shelter up 3.4% and food was up 3.1%. When the Middle East war is resolved inflation will fall.

U.S. June U of M consumer sentiment index rose to 48.9 up from the about 70-year low. This was on the modest improvement in gasoline prices. Lower income people are more positive as they are helped the most by lower gas prices.

Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 335 points to 51,202 on a possible Middle East deal but inflation remains a major concern. Stock market gains make people feel rich so they spend more, which helps the economy.

This report is brought to you by BENLEE roll-off trailers, Roll off trucks, gondola trailers, lugger trucks, roll off truck parts and dump truck and trailer parts. This is Greg Brown reporting from the Crete, Greece.