SHFE/LME price ratio continues to weaken, demand is poor, and the morning market is quiet [SMM Yangshan spot copper]

Published: Aug 25, 2026 13:59

On August 25, the average warrant price fell by $2/mt from the previous trading day to $88/mt (price range $83-93/mt); the average B/L price fell by $2/mt to $85/mt (price range $80-90/mt); the average price of EQ copper (CIF B/L) fell by $2/mt to $38/mt (price range $30-46/mt), with quotations referencing cargoes arriving from August to mid-September.

Today the SHFE/LME price ratio further deteriorated, with downstream nearly losing purchase willingness. The morning session was very quiet, and the center of spot market premiums tended to weaken. Attention should be paid to the subsequent export situation in China given the significant inverted spread of the current price ratio. Today quotations for EQ copper arriving in mid-September were heard at $55-60/mt.

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