Recycling, Scrap Metal, Commodities and Economic Report

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

U.S. weekly raw steel production rose to 1.831MT up 1.6% from last year and up 5.2% year to date. This was the slow growth U.S. economy and the 50% steel tariff protection.

Crude oil WTI price fell to $96.56/b., on almost daily sharp positive and negative news from the Middle East.

U.S. weekly crude oil production fell to 13.596Mb/d. The U.S. Administration wants oil to be around $50/b., so that is keeping producers cautious. The average U.S. breakeven price is $62/b., but new wells are profitable at $35/b.

U.S. weekly crude oil rigs were steady at 411 on great productivity per well.

Scrap steel #1 HMS price composite fell to $377.66/GT on good supply and economic uncertainty.

Hot-Rolled coil steel price rose to $54.35/cwt., $1,087/T. This was on the 50% steel tariff protection as steel mills are keeping supplies tight to increase prices and margins.

Copper price rose to $5.87/lb. This was on optimism the Middle East ceasefire will hold, but copper inventories climbed to an 8 year high.

Aluminum price rose to $1.59/lb, $3,511/MT on supply disruptions from the Middle East’s large aluminum producers.

U.S. February U.S. manufactured durable goods orders fell by 1.4% the third straight monthly decline. Transportation fell a big 5.4%. Excluding transportation, it rose .8%

U.S. March 2026 Consumer Price inflation jumped to 3.3% vs last year the highest in about two years. It rose .9% for the month, the highest in about 4 years. Higher energy drove the increase. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy rose 2.7%.

U.S. April U of M inflation year ahead expectations jumped to 4.8% as the 5 year outlook rose to 3.4%. This is a key measure looked at when setting interest rates.

U.S. U of M consumer sentiment index plummeted to a historic low of 47.6, but that was just before the cease fire. Sentiment declined across all groups; wealthy and poor, Democrat and Republican. Business expectation conditions crashed as inflation expectations spiked.

U.S. Q4 2025 economic growth fell to .5% with the total year 2.1%. Consumer, structures, and equipment spending fell. The Administration is forecasting 3% for 2026 and ending the year at 4%.

Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,322 points to 47,917 on hopes of lower geopolitical tensions. As of Sunday morning, things were not looking good.

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.