【SMM Copper Cathode Rod News Flash】The operating rate of copper cathode rod producers fell 5.77 percentage points WoW to 60.58% this week. The extended Labour Day holiday and production cuts put pressure on operations. After the holiday, copper prices rose but downstream orders remained stable. Orders in the wire & cable and enamelled wire industries were steady after the holiday, with operating rates pulling back notably.

Customs data showed that China’s aluminum wire and cable exports totaled 53,280 mt in January-February 2026, up 37% YoY from January-February last year.