January 26, 2026
This is the Recycling, Scrap Metal, Commodities and Economic Report, January 26th, 2026, produced by BENLEE Roll off trailers to support our customers, suppliers, and partners.
U.S. weekly raw steel production rose to 1.756MT up .2% from last week and up 2.9% year to date. This was on slow U.S. manufacturing growth and the 50% steel tariff protection.
WTI weekly crude oil price rose to $61.07/b. the 5th weekly increase as the U.S. was sending warships toward Iran. Long term there could be an oversupply on a huge jump in Chinese Electric vehicles that will slow oil use.
U.S. weekly crude oil production fell to 13.732Mb/d. remaining high on good U.S. & global demand.
The U.S. weekly crude oil rig count rose to 411 on cautious drillers and great productivity per well.
Scrap steel #1 HMS price composite was steady at $358.33/GT on a good balance of supply and demand.
Hot-Rolled coil steel price rose to $47.10/cwt., $942/T on steady demand and the 50% steel tariff protection.
Copper price rose to $5.94/lb., near the record high. This was on the weaker dollar, supply problems, and good demand.
Aluminum price rose to $1.44/lb., $3,175/MT near a three year high on the same weaker dollar, supply problems, and good demand.
U.S. PCE inflation index rose to 2.8%, well above the target of 2%. Food rose slightly while non gasoline energy soared.
S&P global January U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 51.9 but the second weakest improvement in factory business conditions since July. Output and new orders grew as employment growth slowed.
U.S. U of M January consumer sentiment rose to 56.4 the highest since August. It was a good broad base improvement but down 20% from a year ago.
U.S. weekly initial jobless claims rose to 200,000, but still a very low number. The economy remains in a low hire, low fire mode.
U.S. Q4 2025 GDP, Economic Growth. The economy grew at 4.4% the strongest since Q3 2023. This was driven by stronger exports and good consumer spending. Fixed investment spending slowed despite strong AI investment.
Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 260 points to 49,099 as consumer sentiment improved. Also, there were conflicting economic measures both up and down.
This report is brought to you by BENLEE Roll-off trailers, Roll off trucks, Gondola Trailers, Lugger Trucks, Roll-off trailer parts, Roll-off truck parts and dump truck and trailer parts. This is Greg Brown reporting.
As always, feel free to call or email me with any questions, and we hope all have a safe and profitable week.