Downstream Sentiment Cooled, Spot Premiums Stabilized [SMM North China Spot Copper]

Published: Mar 18, 2026 11:42

Save

Spot #1 copper cathode prices in North China were quoted at an average discount of 60 yuan/mt against the front-month contract today, unchanged from the previous trading day. The average transaction price was 99,020 yuan/mt, down 1,240 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.

SMM, March 18:

Today, spot prices of #1 copper cathode in North China against the front-month contract averaged a discount of 60 yuan/mt, unchanged from the previous trading day, while the average transaction price fell by 1,240 yuan/mt from the previous trading day to 99,020 yuan/mt. Copper prices remained in the doldrums, and after downstream buyers had previously replenished raw material inventory, procurement sentiment cooled somewhat, while spot premiums stabilized. Today, procurement sentiment for copper cathode in North China was 2.85, up 0.04 from the previous trading day, while shipment sentiment was 2.52, up 0.81 from the previous trading 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

2 mins ago

Rio Tinto Gains Control of Arizona Acreage for Resolution Copper Mine Despite Native American Opposition

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) said on Monday it has gained control of acreage in Arizona needed to build the Resolution Copper mine, a project slated to become one of the largest US sources of the critical mineral but one that Native Americans have opposed for more than 20 years.

2 mins ago

3 mins ago

Codelco Reports Significant Drop in Copper Production, Raising Doubts Over 2025 Output Claims

Chile’s state-owned copper giant Codelco has reported a sharp drop in production to start this year, leading copper industry analysts and former Codelco executives to question its reports of surging output at the end of 2025 that helped the company meet its annual production target.

3 mins ago

4 mins ago

Congo Set to Approve Sale of Chemaf to US's Virtus Minerals, Strengthening Strategic Minerals Partnership

The Democratic Republic of Congo is reportedly ready to approve the sale of Chemaf to US-based Virtus Minerals, advancing a strategic minerals partnership between Washington and the African nation. Congo’s mines minister, Louis Watum, notified Virtus last week that the government intends to clear the takeover, according to sources cited by Bloomberg News, marking a key step in a deal involving one of the country’s most contested mining assets.

4 mins ago