The price spread between SHFE copper and BC copper continues to invert, with low inventory supporting copper prices [SMM BC Copper Commentary]

Published: Jul 18, 2025 16:33

Today, the most-traded BC copper 2508 contract opened at 68,990 yuan/mt. It closed with a positive daily candle, indicating a reduction in bearish positions. During the night session, the most-traded BC copper 2508 contract touched a low of 68,950 yuan/mt at the beginning of the session. Subsequently, the center of copper prices moved straight up, continuing to rise after the day session opened and reaching an intraday high of 69,820 yuan/mt. As the session neared its end, copper prices pulled back slightly before finally closing at 69,670 yuan/mt, marking a 0.85% increase. Open interest reached 4,219 lots, a decrease of 369 lots from the previous trading day, and trading volume reached 5,197 lots. From a macro perspective, the US retail sales monthly rate for June exceeded expectations, rising to 0.6%, demonstrating consumer resilience. Meanwhile, Thailand's proposal to grant duty-free status to 90% of US goods and the EU's plan to impose new service tariffs and export controls on the US reflect divergent trade policies, further exacerbating macro environment uncertainties. On the fundamental side, despite LME inventory increasing for 13 consecutive days to reach 122,000 mt, it remains at a low level, providing support to copper prices from below.

 

The most-traded SHFE copper 2508 contract closed at 78,410 yuan/mt. If we consider the after-tax price of 78,727 yuan/mt for the BC copper 2508 contract at 69,670 yuan/mt, the price spread between the SHFE copper 2508 contract and the BC copper contract is -317, indicating an inverted spread that has widened compared to the previous day.

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"
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"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
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
"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.
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Feb 6, 2026 23:47
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."
Feb 6, 2026 23:47