Copper Prices Rose Sharply While SHFE/LME Price Ratio Weakened, but Market Offers Stayed High [SMM Yangshan Spot Copper]

Published: May 12, 2026 16:41

May 12, 2026: The average warrant price rose by $1/mt from the previous trading day, closing at $70/mt (price range: $66-74/mt). The average B/L price rose by $1/mt from the previous trading day, closing at $67/mt (price range: $65-71/mt). The average EQ copper (CIF B/L) price rose by $2/mt from the previous trading day, closing at $38/mt (price range: $36-44/mt), with quotes referencing cargoes arriving in mid-to-late May.

   Copper prices surged significantly during the day. Market activity was limited, but a small volume of transactions was still concluded. Sellers' offers remained firm, with limited availability of low-priced warrant and B/L cargoes. It was heard that a small volume of ER copper B/L arriving in early May was offered at $80/mt, QP May; EQ B/L arriving in early June was offered at $55/mt; EQ B/L arriving in mid-May was offered at $50/mt, QP May-June. General ER copper warrants for delivery within this week were quoted at $80-85/mt, with no transactions heard so far, QP June.

 

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.

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