Copper Inventories Decline as Prices Rise; Production Resumes Post-Holiday Amid Cautious Restocking

Published: May 8, 2026 14:28

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【SMM Copper Cathode Rod News】Inventory: Raw material inventory declined as enterprises restocked only on an as-needed basis without concentrated restocking after the holiday. Finished product inventories saw slight destocking as warehouse withdrawals outpaced restocking due to the holiday market closure and equipment maintenance. SMM expects enterprises to resume normal production after the holiday, with operating rates up 3.07 percentage points WoW. However, elevated copper prices are suppressing procurement, and operating rates still face the risk of falling short of expectations.

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