Last week, spot quotes changed significantly, with the average rising before falling. Consumption was weak against higher copper prices. Copper prices exceeded 68,000 yuan/mt during the week, and downstream buying interest was suppressed. The backwardation of SHFE front-month copper contract over the SHFE next-month contract rose from around 200 yuan/mt ahead of the delivery. Sellers cut prices as downstream buyers pushed for lower prices, causing spot premiums to slump.
On the delivery day, the market began to quote against the July contract, and the backwardation of SHFE front-month copper contract over the SHFE next-month contract rose to around 300 yuan/mt, boosting sellers’ confidence. Spot premiums surged to high levels. On the first trading day after the delivery, the high copper prices and spot premiums dampened downstream buying interest. Spot trades were muted. This week, downstream will mainly take deliveries under long-term contracts. Spot premiums should rise before falling, with the average down from high levels.



