Copper Prices Center Shifted Upward, Downstream Buyers Mainly Made Just-in-Time Procurement [SMM North China Spot Copper]

Published: May 7, 2026 11:26
Today, #1 copper cathode spot prices in North China against the front-month contract were reported at an average discount of 200 yuan/mt to a discount of 100 yuan/mt, with the average discount of 150 yuan/mt unchanged from the previous trading day. The average transaction price was 102,630 yuan/mt, up 350 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.

SMM May 7 News:

Today, spot prices of #1 copper cathode in North China against the front-month contract averaged a discount of 200 yuan/mt to a discount of 100 yuan/mt, with the average discount of 150 yuan/mt unchanged from the previous trading day, and the average transaction price at 102,630 yuan/mt, up 350 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. As copper prices moved higher, downstream buyers mainly made just-in-time procurement, while some suppliers cleared inventory after the holiday, keeping spot premiums under pressure. Today, the procurement sentiment for copper cathode in North China was 1.95, down 0.03 from the previous trading day, and the shipments sentiment was 2.27, down 0.25 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
Results of Spot Tender for Copper Concentrates from a Large Mine Released
37 mins ago
Results of Spot Tender for Copper Concentrates from a Large Mine Released
Read More
Results of Spot Tender for Copper Concentrates from a Large Mine Released
Results of Spot Tender for Copper Concentrates from a Large Mine Released
[SMM Spot Copper Concentrates] According to market rumors, the tender result of a large mine was released last week, where 60,000 mt of spot copper concentrates were traded through traders at TCs of -$220/dmt to -$225/dmt, far exceeding market expectations.
37 mins ago
Copper Market Slows as Off-Season Nears, Orders Decline
46 mins ago
Copper Market Slows as Off-Season Nears, Orders Decline
Read More
Copper Market Slows as Off-Season Nears, Orders Decline
Copper Market Slows as Off-Season Nears, Orders Decline
[SMM Copper Express] Although existing orders on hand provide some support for production, the market is gradually transitioning into the traditional off-season, and downstream wait-and-see sentiment continues to intensify, dragging enterprise operating rates further down. The operating rate for copper cathode rod is expected to continue to pull back in June.
46 mins ago
Suppliers Hold Prices Firm and Hold Back Selling as Delivery Approaches, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Remain Strong [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
1 hour ago
Suppliers Hold Prices Firm and Hold Back Selling as Delivery Approaches, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Remain Strong [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
Read More
Suppliers Hold Prices Firm and Hold Back Selling as Delivery Approaches, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Remain Strong [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
Suppliers Hold Prices Firm and Hold Back Selling as Delivery Approaches, Shanghai Spot Copper Premiums Remain Strong [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
[SMM Shanghai spot copper] Nearing delivery, the inter-month contango spread remains in the 70-10 yuan/mt range. Suppliers are optimistic about near-term premiums, with strong sentiment to hold prices firm and hold back from selling. After standard-quality copper cargoes at a discount of 20 yuan/mt were quickly traded in early business, low-priced cargoes became hard to find in the market. From the demand side, downstream buyers’ acceptance of current premium offers is limited, with overall demand largely need-based and limited willingness to chase higher prices. The discount for non-registered copper remains at 200-180 yuan/mt, indicating that overall consumption support is not strong. On balance, amid the tug-of-war between delivery-logic-backed firm offers and limited downstream acceptance, Shanghai spot copper quotes against the SHFE copper 2606 contract are expected to maintain the current pattern tomorrow, with the center of premiums possibly shifting slightly higher.
1 hour ago
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?sign in here
Copper Prices Center Shifted Upward, Downstream Buyers Mainly Made Just-in-Time Procurement [SMM North China Spot Copper] - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)