Operating rates at copper rod producers are estimated at 72.86% on average in April, down 0.91 percentage point from the previous month. SMM learned that downstream orders surged in mid-March due to the sharp drop in copper prices. This aroused concerns of companies over the consumption in April.
Entering April, demand from end-users such as State Grid and sectors including home appliances and real estate is unlikely to see a good performance. With the fulfilment of previously surging orders, downstream demand for copper rods would slide, lowering the average operating rate in April.
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