The US steel industry's capability utilization has been hovering over 76% in 2014 despite swings in regional production, American Iron and Steel Institute data shows.

In the week ending Saturday, raw steel production was 1.836 million st -- up 0.3% from the prior week's 1.830 million st. Raw steel production edged up to 76.6% from 76.4%. Steel output is relatively even over the comparable week last year, when mills yielded 1.832 million st of steel while operating at a 76.5% utilization rate.

Year to date, steel production is up 0.1%, or about 7,000 st, from the same period last year. Capability utilization in 2014 has been 76.4%, compared with 76.5% in the same period of 2013.