SHANGHAI, Nov. 2 (SMM) –SMM's latest survey showed that the average operating rate at copper rod producers rebounded slightly to 74.3% in October. Operating rates at copper rod producers in Taizhou improved significantly from September, as the number of producers passing environmental protection inspections has grown even as the inspections have become more stringent. Operating rates for October at copper rod producers in Ningbo, Yuhuan and other regions were virtually flat with September. Since copper price declines reinforced the wait-and-see sentiment among end-users domestically while the appreciation of the RMB and the economic situation in the US and Europe heightened difficulties for China's hardware industry, most producers continue to buy on an as-needed basis.