Copper Prices Pull Back as Consumption Gradually Recovers, Spot Premiums Stop Falling and Rebound [SMM Southern China Spot Copper Cathode Weekly Review]

Published: Oct 16, 2025 17:55

SMM October 9 News:

Guangdong Region: WoW, spot premiums in the region bottomed out. At the beginning of the week, premiums moved lower due to the approaching delivery date and limited downstream procurement volume. As copper prices continued to decline, downstream restocking increased and inventory decreased, driving premiums higher. As of Thursday, high-quality copper was quoted at a premium of 80 yuan/mt, up 20 yuan/mt WoW; standard-quality copper was quoted at a premium of 20 yuan/mt, up 20 yuan/mt WoW; SX-EW copper was quoted at a discount of 30 yuan/mt, up 30 yuan/mt WoW. Recently, the supply of SX-EW copper has been relatively small, narrowing the price spread between standard-quality copper and SX-EW copper. On Thursday, the price spread of standard-quality copper premiums between Shanghai and Guangdong was 20 yuan/mt higher in Guangdong. The relatively small spread left no room for cross-regional goods transfer. According to SMM statistics, as of Thursday, the total inventory in Guangdong warehouses was 26,300 mt, an increase of 4,500 mt WoW. The total warrants were 10,100 mt, an increase of 3,500 mt WoW. Specifically: WoW, warehouse arrivals were 16,500 mt/week, down 3,300 mt/week, significantly higher than the annual average (14,000 mt/week). With weak downstream consumption, suppliers were more willing to send goods to warehouses, especially nearing the delivery date. Warehouse withdrawals were 11,300 mt/week, down 2,900 mt/week, lower than the annual average (14,200 mt/week). As copper prices remained at yearly highs, downstream restocking willingness was low, leading to sluggish warehouse withdrawals.

Looking ahead to next week, imported copper arrivals are expected to be limited, and domestic copper arrivals are also projected to be lower than last week, with total supply expected to decrease. Regarding downstream consumption: as copper prices retreated from highs, downstream consumption is expected to increase compared to this week. Therefore, we believe next week will see a scenario of declining supply and recovering consumption. Weekly inventory is expected to decline again, and spot premiums are expected to fluctuate higher.

 

         

(The above information is based on market collection and comprehensive evaluation by the SMM research team. The information provided in this article is for reference only. This article does not constitute direct advice for investment research decisions. Clients should make decisions cautiously and not use this to replace independent judgment. Any decisions made by clients are unrelated to SMM.)

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