Dragon Boat Festival holiday approaching, upstream suppliers offer discounts to sell, spot premiums decline [SMM North China spot copper]

Published: Jun 18, 2026 11:15
Today in North China, spot #1 copper cathode against the front-month contract was quoted at a discount of 270-150 yuan/mt, averaging a discount of 210 yuan/mt, down 40 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The average transaction price was 104,655 yuan/mt, down 500 yuan/mt from the previous trading day.

SMM June 18 –

In North China, spot #1 copper cathode prices against the front-month contract were reported at discounts ranging from 270 yuan/mt to 150 yuan/mt, with an average discount of 210 yuan/mt, down 40 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The average transaction price was 104,655 yuan/mt, down 500 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. On the last trading day before the holiday, downstream users engaged in need-based stockpiling, while traders worried about post-holiday inventory buildup and offered discounts to sell, causing spot premiums to weaken. Today, North China's purchasing sentiment for copper cathode was 2.23, up 0.22 from the previous trading day, and shipment sentiment was 2.25, up 0.57 ().

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Looking ahead to next week, intraday copper prices edged down slightly, and alongside pre-stocking for the Dragon Boat Festival, downstream dip-buying sentiment recovered somewhat, with purchase and sales sentiment each up 0.04 WoW, while transactions for low-priced sources were moderate. However, suppliers’ morning quotes were firm, with standard-quality copper at parity to a premium of 30 yuan/mt, then continuously lowered to near parity. In the second session, some brands were quoted at a discount of 20 yuan/mt, reflecting that amid the current copper price decline, suppliers' willingness to sell increased, while downstream willingness to chase higher prices was insufficient, leaving overall transactions muted. Overall, constrained by high copper prices, Shanghai spot copper premiums against the 2607 contract are expected to hold at current levels next week, or edge up slightly.
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[SMM Shanghai spot copper] Next week, with intraday copper prices edging down and combined with pre-holiday restocking ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, downstream dip-buying sentiment recovered somewhat. Purchase and sales sentiment rose 0.04 WoW respectively, with moderate transactions for low-priced cargoes. However, suppliers' early-session offers were firm, with standard-quality copper quoted from parity to a premium of 30 yuan/mt, subsequently adjusted down to near parity. In the second session, some brands were already quoted at a discount of 20 yuan/mt, reflecting that amid the current copper price decline, suppliers' willingness to sell increased, while downstream buyers' willingness to chase higher prices was insufficient. Overall trading was thin. On balance, pressured by high copper prices, Shanghai spot copper premiums against the SHFE 2607 contract are expected to remain at current levels next week or edge up slightly.
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Dragon Boat Festival holiday approaching, upstream suppliers offer discounts to sell, spot premiums decline [SMM North China spot copper] - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)