PRICING NOTICE: Proposal to launch equivalent grade copper cathode premium assessment

Following a period of market research in the copper cathode market, Fastmarkets proposes to launch fortnightly assessments of equivalent grade (EQ) copper cathode premiums, basis cif Europe and Shanghai.

The introduction of the premiums will begin Fastmarkets’ pricing coverage of non exchange-deliverable copper cathode trade. Fastmarkets has for many years tracked premiums for grade A, exchange deliverable cathodes in Europe, Shanghai, Asia and North America.

EQ copper cathodes conform to the specifications set out for London Metal Exchange-registered grade A copper cathodes but are not registered brands on any global metals exchange.

The proposed new assessment will provide the market with an improved picture of global copper cathode business, with preliminary market feedback indicating consistent spot liquidity within the proposed locations.

Additionally, volatility in the LME’s three-month copper price and China’s implementation of category 6 and 7 scrap import bans earlier this year have prompted physical participants to seek further opportunities in physical copper business beyond top brand cathodes.

Fastmarkets now invites market participants to take part in a consultation on its proposal to launch premium assessments for copper cathode equivalent grade, cif Europe and cif Shanghai.

The proposed specifications for the premium assessments are as follows:

Assessment: Copper cathode equivalent grade, cif Europe
Quality: 99.9935% min copper conforming to LME specifications; Ag: 0.0025% max, As: 0.0005% max, Bi: 0.00020% max, Fe: 0.0010% max, Pb: 0.0005% max, S: 0.0015% max, Se: 0.00020% max, Te: 0.00020% max
Quantity: 25 tonnes
Location: Europe
Timing: Spot, fortnightly
Unit: USD per tonne
Payment terms: LC, TT, DP or other payments normalized.
Publication: Fortnightly, Tuesday 4pm London time.

Assessment: Copper cathode equivalent grade, cif Shanghai
Quality: 99.9935% min copper conforming to LME specifications; Ag: 0.0025% max, As: 0.0005% max, Bi: 0.00020% max, Fe: 0.0010% max, Pb: 0.0005% max, S: 0.0015% max, Se: 0.00020% max, Te: 0.00020% max
Quantity: 25 tonnes
Location: Shanghai
Timing: Spot, fortnightly
Unit: USD per tonne
Payment terms: LC, TT, DP or other payments normalised.
Publication: Fortnightly, Tuesday 4pm London time.

The consultation period for this proposed assessment will end one month from the date of this pricing notice on November 6, 2019 with changes taking place from Tuesday November 12, 2019, subject to market feedback.

To provide feedback on this proposal or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to this premium, please contact either Hassan Butt or Sally Zhang by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading FAO: Hassan Butt, re: Copper cathode equivalent grade cif Europe or FAO: Sally Zhang, re: Copper cathode equivalent grade cif Shanghai.

What to read next
Fastmarkets has corrected its MB-STE-0816 Japan seamless Linepipe API 5L B fob and its MB-STE-0817 Japan seamless Linepipe API 5L X65 fob assessments, which were published incorrectly on Wednesday April 8 due to a procedural error.
Fastmarkets has decided to launch two weekly price assessments for graphite flake 94% C, -100 mesh and graphite flake 94% C, +80 mesh on an ex-works China basis on Thursday April 16.
Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Thursday April 9, 2026.
Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-LI-0033 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price cif China, Japan & Korea, which was published incorrectly on Thursday April 9 due to a typo. The published rationale for MB-LI-0033 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price cif China, Japan […]
Fastmarkets launched two new aluminium scrap prices on Thursday, April 9, adding to Fastmarkets’ suite of recycled non-ferrous metals price assessments. The launch will elevate and expand Fastmarkets’ aluminium scrap coverage by including the following grades: Section 232 tariffs and the resulting high aluminium premiums have led to increased costs and rising interest in recycled […]
The proposal would align the index more closely with physically traded volumes in the region, and enable it to adjust to evolving market conditions. This proposal follows an observed widening of the spread between trader and smelter purchase components of the index and is aligned with a majority of market feedback. Additionally, Fastmarkets seeks feedback […]