NEW YORK — U.S. raw steel output totaled 1,975,000 net tons last week, up 0.9 percent from 1,958,000 tons the previous week, as mills operated at an average capability utilization rate of 79.9 percent. It was the highest weekly production level since the end of September 2008.

In the corresponding week last year, mills produced 1,814,000 tons at an average capability utilization rate of 74.2 percent, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington.

Mills have produced 28,890,000 tons so far this year at an average capability utilization rate of 77.9 percent, up 6.8 percent from the same period last year, when mills produced 27,050,000 tons at an average capability utilization rate of 74.4 percent.