[SMM Copper Wire and Cable News] This week, the SMM copper wire and cable enterprise operating rate was 69.43%, up 0.95 percentage points WoW. The stabilization in operating rates was mainly driven by orders from top-tier enterprises, while small and medium-sized enterprises continued to underperform. The power sector provided notable support, with steady demand from computing power, AI, and new energy sectors. Looking ahead to next week, high copper prices are expected to suppress new orders, and as earlier backlog orders are gradually completed, the operating rate is expected to pull back slightly. However, State Grid's successive order placements will provide support, and SMM expects the operating rate to decline 0.57 percentage points WoW to 68.86%.

[SMM Copper Wire and Cable Inventory] Regarding copper wire and cable inventory this week, enterprises' raw material procurement remained driven primarily by rigid demand. Some enterprises held bullish expectations for subsequent copper prices and restocked in small quantities across multiple batches at relatively low price levels, resulting in a 1.08% WoW increase in raw material inventory. On the finished product side, some clients also had bullish sentiment, and coupled with State Grid placing orders and picking up goods, finished product inventories decreased slightly by 1.74%.

This week (April 10–April 16), the SMM operating rate of copper wire and cable enterprises was 69.43%, up 0.95 percentage points WoW. The stabilization in operating rates this week was mainly driven by orders from top-tier enterprises, while orders and operating performance of small and medium-sized enterprises remained relatively weak. Meanwhile, rising copper prices continued to suppress new orders. By sector, the power segment provided the primary support, with the core driver being State Grid placing orders; wire and cable demand from computing centers, AI, and other sectors also performed well, and new energy sector orders remained steady, though overall support was weaker than that from the power sector. Inventory side, enterprise raw material procurement remained driven by rigid demand. Some enterprises held bullish expectations for future copper prices and restocked in small batches at relatively low prices, resulting in a 1.08% WoW increase in raw material inventories this week. On the finished product side, some clients also had bullish sentiment, and coupled with State Grid placing orders and picking up goods, finished product inventories decreased slightly by 1.74%. Looking ahead to next week, elevated copper prices are expected to continue suppressing the release of new orders, and as earlier backlog orders gradually near completion, the operating rate is expected to pull back somewhat next week. However, successive order placements by State Grid are expected to provide a certain level of floor support for the industry. Therefore, SMM expects the copper wire and cable operating rate for next week (April 17–April 23) to decline 0.57 percentage points WoW to 68.86%.

[SMM Copper Wire and Cable Weekly Operating Rate] This week, the SMM copper wire and cable enterprise operating rate was 68.48%, down 1.48 percentage points WoW and down 16.19 percentage points YoY. Copper prices fluctuated and rebounded during the week, suppressing new orders from downstream. Additionally, the concentrated delivery date in Q1 was largely over, the pace of power grid order delivery slowed down, and the execution of prior backlog orders was nearing completion. Enterprise production pace slowed slightly, leading to a marginal decline in the operating rate. The industry operating rate is expected to continue declining next week, and SMM expects the copper wire and cable operating rate to edge down 1.88 percentage points WoW to 66.59% next week.

This week (April 3–April 9), the SMM copper wire and cable enterprise operating rate was 68.48%, down 1.48 percentage points WoW and down 16.19 percentage points YoY. During the week, copper prices rebounded with volatility, suppressing new orders from downstream. Additionally, as the concentrated delivery date in Q1 largely concluded, the pace of power grid order deliveries slowed down, previously accumulated orders neared completion, and enterprise production pace slightly slowed down, leading to a slight decline in the operating rate. By segment, State Grid and China Southern Power Grid recently placed relatively few orders overall, with only scattered small-value orders as the mainstay. Orders in the automotive wire and optical fiber segments maintained relatively robust momentum, while order performance in other segments remained relatively mediocre. Inventory side, enterprises primarily made just-in-need raw material purchases this week, prioritizing the consumption of existing inventory, resulting in a 3.41% WoW decline in raw material inventory. Finished product inventories edged up due to a slowdown in downstream cargo pick-up pace and fewer new orders, increasing 2.54% WoW. Looking ahead to next week, new order intake in the market remains weak, and coupled with enterprises' earlier orders on hand nearing the end of their production schedule, the industry operating rate is expected to continue declining. Therefore, SMM expects the copper wire and cable operating rate for next week (April 10–April 16) to decrease 1.88 percentage points WoW to 66.59%.

Based on calculations derived from the production plans of major smelters, Japan's copper cathode production in H1 of fiscal year 2026/27 is expected to grow 3.3% YoY, driven by firm demand for copper alloy products and copper wire in the power sector.H1 of the fiscal year runs from April to September.A spokesperson for Pan Pacific Copper (PPC), Japan's largest copper supplier, said the company's copper cathode production in H1 is expected to rise 7.5% YoY, as the operating rate at smelters under JX Advanced Metals is expected to improve.