U.S. raw steel output totaled 1,557,000 tons last week, a 0.8-percent increase from 1,544,000 tons produced the previous week, as mills operated at an average capability utilization rate of 65.3 percent.

In the corresponding week last year, mills produced 1,209,000 tons at an average capability utilization rate of 50.7 percent, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington.

For the year to date, mills have...