According to SMM's observations, since July, copper cathode prices have risen from 103,000 yuan/mt to 108,600 yuan/mt, an increase of over 6,400 yuan/mt, but the price of domestic bare bright copper wire (excluding tax) only rose from 90,000 yuan/mt to 91,700 yuan/mt, an increase of less than 1,800 yuan/mt
Aug 23, 2026 13:19Jinlongyu (002882) disclosed its semi-annual report. In H1 2026, the company achieved operating revenue of 2.248 billion yuan, up 4.22% YoY; net profit attributable to shareholders of the publicly listed firm was 38.3885 million yuan, down 42.46% YoY; basic earnings per share were 0.0887 yuan.The decrease in the company's net profit was mainly affected by two factors: first, intensified competition in the cable market and high copper prices staying high led to a decline in the gross margin of this business segment; second, continued R&D and investment in capacity construction for the solid-state battery project resulted in a significant increase in related expenses.
Aug 22, 2026 22:42SMM Analysis: Recently, the London Metal Exchange (LME) copper market saw a sudden short squeeze. Copper prices shot up, nearing record highs, and the premium (Back) of LME spot prices against the 3M contract once widened to the highest level in nearly five years...
Aug 21, 2026 19:59This week (August 14-August 20), the operating rate of SMM copper wire and cable enterprises came in at 65.8%, up 3.55 percentage points WoW and down 3.08 percentage points YoY. Copper prices retreated from highs during the week, which briefly boosted downstream cargo pick-up willingness. However, bearish sentiment re-emerged in the later period, keeping downstream players on the sidelines. Overall orders only showed marginal recovery. The sharp rebound in the operating rate this week was also affected by the low base in the prior week.
Aug 21, 2026 18:59[SMM Analysis: Copper Wire Rod Exports in July Pulled Back Nearly 30% MoM, High Copper Prices and High Premiums Dampened Foreign Demand] In July, total exports of copper wire rod (HS codes 74081100 and 74081900) decreased MoM but increased YoY. The specific data are as follows:......
Aug 21, 2026 17:09This week, Shanghai spot copper premiums retreated from highs. At the start of the week, the market benchmark switched to the 2609 contract, pushing spot premiums nominally higher, but this did not reflect a significant improvement in supply-demand dynamics. As some warrant cargoes gradually entered the spot market, available spot supply increased, prompting suppliers to continuously lower quotes to facilitate transactions. During this period, the pullback in copper prices triggered downstream dip-buying for restocking and trading firms' purchase demand; however, incremental end-use demand remained limited, with low acceptance of high-premium cargoes. Meanwhile, high-quality copper and registered SX-EW copper were relatively scarce, further widening spreads among brands. SMM recorded social inventory in the Shanghai area at 83,100 mt as of Thursday this week, up 3,800 mt WoW from last Thursday; social inventory in the Jiangsu area stood at 27,500 mt, up 9,400 mt WoW. Looking ahead to next week, the previously arrived Russian copper has largely been absorbed by the market, and the concentrated impact of earlier import cargoes has eased. However, some non-registered copper delayed by port issues is expected to arrive in batches early next week, potentially adding to spot supply temporarily. On the demand side, downstream players remain focused on dip-buying and essential restocking, with high copper prices and elevated premiums continuing to limit buying amid rising prices. The month-on-month backwardation structure and tight supply of high-quality copper and registered SX-EW copper will continue to support quotes for certain brands. Overall, Shanghai spot copper premiums against the 2609 contract are expected to remain in backwardation next week, but the overall center could weaken further. If copper prices retreat significantly, dip-buying demand may provide some support to the downside of premiums.
Aug 21, 2026 16:43To better serve industrial clients and stay closer to the market, SMM is adding 6 new scrap copper price assessments for Japan/US regions, officially launching on 16/1/2026. 1. New Price Points Copper Scrap - East Asia - Japan Millberry CIF China - Japan Millberry CIF China Taiwan - Japan Millberry CIF Korea Copper Scrap - America - United States Millberry CIF Japan - United States No.1 Copper Material CIF Japan - United States No.2 Copper Material CIF Japan 2. SMM Price Methodology General Principles Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as "SMM") is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any actual transactions. Instead, SMM maintains close communication with buyers and sellers as a market observer or organizer and provides related services to the market. This document sets forth the standards for SMM's East Asia and US scrap copper price assessments. The purpose of establishing these standards is to create a transparent and verifiable SMM price formation mechanism. 3. Formation of SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessments 3.1 Significance of the Assessments In recent years, Japan and the United States have continued to play important roles in the global scrap copper trading system. Their export prices for berry copper and copper scrap hold strong reference value for major Asian consumer markets. Due to differences in origin quality structure, trade flows, and regional demand, actual transaction prices vary across different destinations. To more accurately reflect the true price levels of Japanese and US scrap copper in cross-regional circulation, reduce information asymmetry risks, and help upstream and downstream enterprises more reasonably evaluate procurement costs and formulate trading strategies, SMM plans to add price points including Japan Berry Copper CIF China, Japan Berry Copper CIF South Korea, Japan Berry Copper CIF Taiwan China, US Berry Copper CIF Japan, US No.1 Copper CIF Japan, and US No.2 Copper CIF Japan. These will be collected according to a unified methodology and publicly released to the market for industry reference. SMM price members will be able to access relevant historical price data simultaneously. 3.2 SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessment Methodology 3.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Currently, scrap copper reference standards follow ISRI standards. If changes occur, SMM will revise accordingly based on actual circumstances. 3.2.2 Price Terms Prices are CIF indicative prices, expressed as a coefficient (%) unit. 3.2.3 Payment Terms Prices reflect payment conditions including TT or other conventional payment methods. 3.2.4 Quote Format and Timing Quoted prices are in range format, showing minimum and maximum prices. For example: Japan Millberry CIF China: 97.5%-98%. New price points will be assessed weekly. SMM will publish prices on the website front page at 3:30 PM on the last day of each working week. 3.2.5 Data Collection Method According to the data collection confirmation agreement, SMM price analysts will regularly collect price information from scrap copper industry contacts in Japan through telephone, WeChat, email, and other methods. This price information includes completed transaction prices and the most likely anticipated transaction prices expected by the enterprise. All instant messaging content and any face-to-face communication records will be archived telephone communication details will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting to their supervisors any coerced or threatened communications from market participants, or any inducements attempting to influence assessments. After price publication, SMM will not make corrections or adjustments on that day. 3.2.6 Data Standardization Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, market transactions exist in various forms. Each transaction price is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, material brand, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market quotes, bids, and transaction information and align them with our standards. We welcome more relevant enterprises along the industry chain to participate in and support SMM in better serving scrap copper industry-related enterprises. For any questions, please contact us. Shanghai Metal Market Copper Department - Aw Yong Yi Cheong Contact: +6011-25798397 Email add: awyong.yicheong@smm.cn
PriceJan 12, 2026 15:35