Scrap Metal, Recycling, Global Economic and Commodities Report 7/13/26

This is the Recycling, Scrap Metal, Commodities and Economic Report, July 13th, 2026, produced by BENLEE Roll-off trailers to support our customers, suppliers, and partners.

U.S. weekly raw steel production rose to 1.856MT up .6% from last week and up 6% YTD on 78.9% capacity utilization. This was on the 50% steel tariff protection and slow growth in demand.

Crude oil WTI price rose to $71.41/b., as the U.S. declared the Middle East ceasefire is over. But peace talked restarted as cross strikes continued.

U.S. weekly crude oil production rose slightly to 13.86 thousand barrels/day on good domestic and export demand.

The U.S. weekly crude oil rig count was steady at 445 about a one year high. This was on the same good domestic and export demand.

Scrap Steel #1 HMS price composite fell slightly to $363.67/GT on slow demand growth and good supply.

Hot-Roll Coil steel price rose slightly to $58.70/cwt., $1,174/T up a huge 34% in 12 months. This was on the 50% steel tariff protection and a slow growth in demand.

Copper Price rose to $6.28/lb, on good AI data center demand and new Middle East talks.

Aluminum price rose to $1.43/lb, $3,146/MT on declining inventories and expectations of a shortage.

U.S. May balance of trade widened sharply as in got worse to -$77.6B. Imports rose to 3.3% as exports fell 3.2%. Imports of consumer goods and cars rose as exports of pharmaceuticals fell.

U.S. 30-year mortgage rate rose to 6.64% as higher inflation has interests rates rising, to slow the economy.

U.S. June existing home sales fell 2.4% from May to 4.09M annualized. This was on high prices and high interest rates.

U.S. July Real Clear/TIPP economic optimism index rose to 45.5. Consumers are feeling better about the economy for the next 6 months.

U.S. June S&P composite purchasing managers’ index increased to 51.9, but employment declined. This was as manufacturing output continued to expand strongly. Services grew as well, as business confidence improved.

Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 196 points to 52,637 but remained high. Markets are concerned about an interest rate increase to curb inflation.