Overnight copper prices rebounded and the SHFE/LME price ratio pulled back, while mainstream quotations were relatively firm [SMM Yangshan spot copper]

Published: Aug 20, 2026 13:15

On August 20, the average warrant price was unchanged from the previous trading day, at $87/mt (price range $79-95/mt); the average B/L price was unchanged from the previous trading day, at $82/mt (price range $77-87/mt); the average price of EQ copper (CIF B/L) fell $3/mt from the previous trading day, at $50/mt (price range $45-55/mt), referencing shipments arriving from August to early September.

Last night, copper prices rebounded, and the SHFE/LME price ratio pulled back again. However, due to some shipments being shipped to delivery warehouses and continued congestion at Shanghai port, there were relatively few registered copper warrants in the market, and suppliers' mainstream quotations remained relatively firm. Today it was heard that the mainstream B/L quotations for registered copper arriving from late August to early September were around $95/mt, while registered warrants were quoted at around $95-100/mt. The mainstream quotation for EQ copper arriving in late August was around $45-50/mt, and for EQ copper arriving in September was around $50-60/mt.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Consecutive Price Cuts Boost Transactions, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Center Shifts Down [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
23 mins ago
Consecutive Price Cuts Boost Transactions, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Center Shifts Down [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
Read More
Consecutive Price Cuts Boost Transactions, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Center Shifts Down [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
Consecutive Price Cuts Boost Transactions, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Center Shifts Down [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
[Shanghai spot copper] Looking ahead to tomorrow, buying sentiment in the Shanghai region continued to recover during the day, but market transactions remained dominated by flows between traders. Although some downstream players made just-in-time procurement, actual demand growth was relatively limited, and end-use consumption has not shown a significant improvement. Quotes for standard-quality copper were continuously lowered from a premium of around 350 yuan/mt in the early session to approximately 260 yuan/mt, after which transactions increased, reflecting the market's still low acceptance of high-premium cargoes. Suppliers still have the willingness to lower quotes to facilitate transactions. On the other hand, available cargoes of high-quality copper and non-registered copper were relatively scarce, coupled with the inter-month back price spread maintained at 310-350 yuan/mt, providing some support to quotes for certain brands. In summary, against the backdrop of traders' purchases providing some demand support but limited downstream procurement growth and strong willingness of suppliers to sell, spot copper prices against the SHFE 2609 contract are expected to remain at a premium tomorrow, with the overall center likely to continue shifting slightly downward.
23 mins ago
Foshan Hongshunli Metal Co., Ltd. Invites You to the 2026 SMM (3rd) South China Nonferrous Metals Annual Conference
29 mins ago
Foshan Hongshunli Metal Co., Ltd. Invites You to the 2026 SMM (3rd) South China Nonferrous Metals Annual Conference
Read More
Foshan Hongshunli Metal Co., Ltd. Invites You to the 2026 SMM (3rd) South China Nonferrous Metals Annual Conference
Foshan Hongshunli Metal Co., Ltd. Invites You to the 2026 SMM (3rd) South China Nonferrous Metals Annual Conference
29 mins ago
Futures Dictate Spot Transactions; Off-Season Keeps Weak Demand Pattern Unchanged [SMM Shandong Copper Cathode Spot Weekly Review]
1 hour ago
Futures Dictate Spot Transactions; Off-Season Keeps Weak Demand Pattern Unchanged [SMM Shandong Copper Cathode Spot Weekly Review]
Read More
Futures Dictate Spot Transactions; Off-Season Keeps Weak Demand Pattern Unchanged [SMM Shandong Copper Cathode Spot Weekly Review]
Futures Dictate Spot Transactions; Off-Season Keeps Weak Demand Pattern Unchanged [SMM Shandong Copper Cathode Spot Weekly Review]
1 hour ago
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?Sign in here
Overnight copper prices rebounded and the SHFE/LME price ratio pulled back, while mainstream quotations were relatively firm [SMM Yangshan spot copper] - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)