Copper Cathode Rod Producers' Operating Rate Falls 2.96 Pct WoW Amid High Prices and Weak Demand

Published: Jul 17, 2026 10:30

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[SMM Copper Cathode Rod Flash] The operating rate of copper cathode rod producers fell 2.96 percentage points WoW this week. High copper prices combined with the price spread between futures contracts fueled a strong wait-and-see sentiment among downstream players, with enterprises receiving limited new orders and proactively lowering production loads. Downstream sectors such as wire and cable and enamelled wire entered their traditional off-season, and seasonal demand weakness further weighed on operating performance.

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