February 9, 2026
This is the Recycling, Scrap Metal, Commodities and Economic Report, February 9th, 2026, produced by BENLEE Roll off trailers to support our customers, suppliers, and partners.
U.S. weekly raw steel production fell to 1.758MT down 1.1% from last week and up 3.4% year to date. This was on slow growth in demand and 50% steel tariff protection.
Crude oil WTI price fell to $63.55/b., over mixed positive and negative news over Iranian oil supply.
U.S. weekly crude oil production fell to 13.215Mb/d. but is still very high. Lower prices hurt profits from higher cost wells, which reduces production.
The U.S. weekly crude oil rig count rose slightly to 412 on great productivity per well as drillers remain cautious.
Scrap steel #1 HMS price composite rose to $366.33/GT as very bad weather is hurting scrap flows. AI data centers are helping demand.
Hot-Rolled coil steel price rose to $48.85/cwt., $977/T up 29% vs last year. The 50% steel tariffs is great for U.S. steel mills and is inflationary by allowing steel mills to raise prices.
Copper price fell to $5.89/lb., but remains very high on good demand, but rising inventories.
Aluminum price fell slightly to $1.41/lb., $3,112/MT as demand stayed good and there was selling from speculators.
U.S. January New Vehicle sales fell to 14.9M annualized, below the level of the 1970s. This was on longer life vehicles, record high prices and high interest rates.
U.S. initial jobless claims rose to 231,000 the highest in about two months. This was driven by the winter storms, but continuing claims are also up.
U.S. U of M consumer sentiment survey rose to 57.3 the third monthly increase. This was driven by stock market wealth, and those without stocks remain at depressed levels. Concerns over inflation and loss of jobs remain.
U.S; January ISM Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly rose to 52.6 the most since 2022. Manufacturing expanded for the first time in 12 months. New orders and production rose while employment fell.
Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,223 points to 50,116 a record close. Huge AI data centers investments are helping stocks. Enormous wealth is being created for people holding stocks.
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.