This week, the weekly operating rate of China's leading aluminum downstream processing enterprises pulled back 0.5 percentage points WoW to 64.7%. The industry continued its weak recovery pattern, with divergence among segments intensifying.

Xinya Cable (001382) disclosed its annual report on April 20. In 2025, the company achieved operating revenue of 2.947 billion yuan, up 4.00% YoY; net profit attributable to the parent company was 100 million yuan, down 25.57% YoY; basic earnings per share were 0.26 yuan. The company proposed a cash dividend of 0.75 yuan per 10 shares (tax inclusive). The decline in net profit attributable to the parent company was mainly due to the following reasons: first, intensified competition in the wire and cable market and the sustained rise in raw material prices of copper and aluminum put the company's comprehensive gross margin under pressure; second, the expansion of the company's accounts receivable led to an increase in credit impairment loss provisions.

[Latest Data from the General Administration of Customs] In March 2026, China's copper wire and cable exports covered 30 provinces nationwide, highly concentrated in the coastal areas of east China and south China. Jiangsu Province ranked first with exports of 29,900 mt, followed by Zhejiang Province at 27,200 mt and Guangdong Province at 15,500 mt in second and third place respectively. The combined exports of the three provinces accounted for over 50% of the national total. (Copper wire and cable HS codes: 85444921, 85444929, 85446012, 85446013, 85446014, 85446019, 85446090)

[Latest Data from the General Administration of Customs] In March 2026, China's copper wire and cable exports rose 8.37% MoM to 118,000 mt, covering 201 countries and regions. Among them, exports to the UK surged 1,466% MoM to 17,000 mt, surpassing Australia to rank first. Australia and Vietnam ranked second and third, with exports of 11,000 mt and 6,000 mt respectively. (Copper wire and cable HS codes: 85444921, 85444929, 85446012, 85446013, 85446014, 85446019, 85446090)

[Latest Data from the General Administration of Customs] In March 2026, China's wire and cable exports totaled 218,000 mt, down 2.63% MoM and down 7.22% YoY. Of this, copper wire and cable exports were 118,000 mt, up 8.37% MoM and up 9.38% YoY. (Copper wire and cable HS codes: 85444921, 85444929, 85446012, 85446013, 85446014, 85446019, 85446090)

The copper scrap market this week operated under the impetus of a strong macro-driven rally in copper prices. Futures and spot prices rose in tandem, but the intensifying divergence in sentiment and behavior between upstream and downstream participants along the industry chain lent the market a complex character best described as "price-driven transactions amid an unchanged weak supply-demand landscape.

[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 Cathode Rod News Flash】 The operating rate of copper cathode rod producers fell 2.16 percentage points WoW to 77.82% this week. Copper prices fluctuating at highs suppressed downstream purchasing demand, new orders were weak, and enterprises mostly relied on earlier orders to maintain rigid-demand production, with operating rates pulling back slightly. Downstream demand showed significant divergence, with the enamelled wire industry performing weakly, while the wire and cable industry remained relatively stable, supported by State Grid procurement.