Scrap Metal, Recycling, Global Economic and Commodities Report April 20, 2026

This is the Recycling, Scrap Metal, Commodities and Economic Report, April 20th, 2026, produced by BENLEE Roll off trailers to support our customers, suppliers, and partners.

U.S. weekly raw steel production rose to 1.843MT up .7% from last week and up 5.5% year to date. This was as the capacity utilization rate was 79.8% and on the 50% steel tariff protection as well as the slow growth economy.

Crude oil WTI price plunged to $83.85/b. This was on the good news/bad news out of the Middle East. Also, the U.S. administration urged oil and gas companies to increase production.

U.S. weekly crude oil production was steady at 13.596Mb/d. Volatile oil prices have kept production steady. The average U.S. well loses money under about $62/b.

The U.S. weekly crude oil rig count fell to 410 on great productivity per well. More rigs brings more production that brings lower prices. Lower prices are great for the economy, but terrible for oil companies.

Scrap steel #1 HMS price composite was steady to $377.66/GT on a good balance of supply and demand.

Hot-Rolled coil steel price rose to $55.10/cwt., $1,102/T up 17% from last year. This was on the 50% steel tariff and the slow growth economy.

Copper price rose to $6.08/lb near the all time high. This was on the good news/bad news out of the Middle East that could help the global economy. The recent oil shock could bring more Electric vehicles into the market which would mean more copper consumption.

Aluminum price rose slightly to $1.61/lb, $3,557/mt. This was also on the good news/bad news out of the Middle East which is 9% of global aluminum production.  Damaged Middle East aluminum plants will keep prices up.

China’s Q1 GDP, economic growth. Their economy expanded at 5.0%, accelerating from 4.5% in Q4. This was on strong exports and strong industrial output.

U.S. April NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing index, Builder’s confidence which fell to 34 near the September 2025 low, but near the lowest in more than 10 years. Current and future expectations fell.

U.S. March producer prices rose 4% vs last year the highest in more than three years. Overall, all goods and services rose as food fell and energy spiked.

U.S. March NFIB small business optimism index fell to 95.8. The dramatic spike in oil prices spooked consumers and owners. Tax cuts for businesses and families remain positives as government deficits increase.

U.S. weekly continuing jobless claims rose to 1.82M but remain fairly low. The economy has been low hire and low fire for about 18 months.

Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,530 points to 49,447 near the record high. This was on the good news/bad news out of the Middle East. The broader index the S&P 500 hit new highs.