[SMM Analysis] Copper futures prices fell, scrap copper consumption was limited, and the start-up rate of refined copper rod enterprises rebounded in May compared with the previous month.

Published: Jun 11, 2019 10:02

SMM, June 11-according to SMM survey data, the operating rate of refined copper rod-making enterprises in May was 81.70 percent, an increase of 1.28 percentage points from the same period last year and 3.42 percentage points from the previous month.

In May, refined copper rod-making enterprises rose compared with the same period last year, mainly due to the effect of capacity concentration, and the effect of capacity concentration in the copper rod market was obvious. At present, the major copper rod factories are still in the process of capacity expansion. More orders from small and medium-sized enterprises flow to large and medium-sized copper rod factories, SMM research enterprises are mostly large and medium-sized enterprises, so the output performance is better.

The start-up rate of refined copper rod enterprises rose in May compared with the previous month, due to: first, terminal demand is still warming: consumption recovery is slow this year, photovoltaic, offshore wind power, UHV, communications cables and other orders performed better. 2. Consumption of some refined copper instead of scrap copper: in May, the average monthly price difference of refined copper is 831 yuan / ton, the price of refined copper has dropped, scrap copper has lost its price advantage, and at the same time, the supply of scrap copper enterprises has been reduced, and the sentiment of cherishing and selling has warmed up. Therefore, the market chooses more refined copper as raw materials to replace scrap copper consumption. Third, copper prices fell, orders increased: copper prices fell in the late May Day, terminal enterprise orders increased, boosting the pace of production of copper rod enterprises. It is worth noting that some of the orders were placed by terminals at low prices in advance and were not picked up in May, and prices continued to fall, and downstream orders were cautious by the end of May.

In May, the raw material inventory ratio of refined copper rod making enterprises was 10.91%, 0.44 percentage points lower than the same period last year and 0.59 percentage points lower than the previous month. The decline of raw material inventory was mainly due to the increase of operation rate and raw material consumption in May. At the same time, the price of copper fell in May and the purchase of electrolytic copper increased at low prices.

It is expected that the operating rate of refined copper rod-making enterprises in June is 81. 73%, basically the same as last month. In June, most of the enterprises said that the orders were relatively stable, and the orders in June were expected to be the same as those in May. Most of the large enterprises were long orders, and the production situation was stable. A small number of companies said orders fell in June, as consumption gradually entered the off-season, the subsequent start-up rate is expected to show a downward trend.

 

 

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 to learn 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
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
12 hours ago
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Read More
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Premier Li Qiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to study policy measures for promoting effective investment. The meeting noted that promoting effective investment plays an important role in stabilizing economic growth and strengthening momentum for development. It is necessary to innovate and improve policy measures, and intensify efforts to enhance the efficiency of utilizing funds such as central budget investments, ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, local government special bonds, and new-type policy-based financial instruments. In conjunction with formulating and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan
12 hours ago
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
12 hours ago
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Read More
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the plenary sessions of the Party’s 20th Central Committee, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, strengthen top-level design, build computing power interconnection nodes oriented toward national hub periods, major strategic regions, and key industries, establish a system of computing power interconnection nodes, improve the efficiency and service level of public computing power resources, and promote high-quality development of computing power.
12 hours ago
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
12 hours ago
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Read More
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
After intensive indirect consultations, the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US in Muscat, the capital of Oman, has achieved phased progress. It is reported that during this round of talks, the Iranian and US delegations did not meet directly. Instead, Omani Foreign Minister Badr acted as an intermediary, conveying a series of core proposals, strategic concerns, and policy positions to the other side. The atmosphere at the talks was tense yet efficient. According to preliminary on-site assessments, although both sides continue to negotiate over specific terms, they have reached a consensus on the key objective of "continuing dialogue."
12 hours ago