Copper Cross-Market Spread: Since entering May, the LME/COMEX copper spread has continued to widen. According to SMM data, the highest spread between the LME and COMEX nearby copper contracts expanded from US$108.61/mt on April 30 to US$378.5/mt on May 13, marking a notable widening within the month.
Based on current spot trade feedback, no significant change has yet been observed in refined copper trade flows. At present, China’s imported copper arrivals and transactions are still mainly influenced by factors such as the import arbitrage ratio, domestic spot demand, and the execution of overseas long-term contracts.
![Suppliers continue to be bullish on premiums and hold prices firm for shipments amid high copper prices, resulting in very sluggish spot trades [SMM South China Spot Copper]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/CJXfS20251217171710.jpg)
![SHFE Copper Prices Continued to Rise, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Further Under Pressure [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/NUcrH20251217171713.jpeg)

