Proposal to increase frequency of Shanghai equivalent-grade copper cathode premium

Fastmarkets invites feedback on a proposal to increase the publication frequency of the MB-CU-0412 non-exchange-deliverable equivalent-grade (EQ) copper cathode premium, cif Shanghai to twice weekly.

Fastmarkets, which currently assesses the premium every Tuesday, proposes to publish the Shanghai EQ copper cathode premium every Tuesday and Friday.

Fastmarkets began to track the Shanghai EQ copper cathode market in November 2019, and increased its assessment frequency from fortnightly to weekly in July 2023 following increased market interest.

This proposal to increase the pricing frequency to twice weekly will bring more market transparency amid continually rising demand and increased spot liquidity.

The proposed specifications for the premium will be as follows (proposed change in italics):

MB-CU-0412 Copper EQ cathode premium, cif Shanghai, $/tonne
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: Min 25 tonnes
Location: cif Shanghai
Timing: Within 6 weeks
Unit: USD per tonne
Payment terms: LC, TT or DP other payments normalized to cash
Publication: Twice weekly. Tuesday and Friday 4pm London time
Note: Non-exchange deliverable units

The consultation period for this proposed amendment starts on Thursday August 1 and concludes on Thursday August 29.

The proposed increase in frequency will take place from Tuesday September 3, subject to the outcome of this consultation.

This price is part of the Fastmarkets base metals package.

To provide feedback on this consultation, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to the Shanghai EQ copper cathode premium, please contact Sally Zhang by email at pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading ‘FAO: Sally Zhang, re: Shanghai EQ premium.’

To see all of Fastmarkets’ pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology.

What to read next
Market reactions to the soon-to-be-implemented US copper tariff are driving short-term volatility and supply imbalances while fuelling long-term efforts to expand domestic production, recycling and infrastructure.
All of Fastmarkets’ China domestic price assessments published in its PPI Asia publication and the Fastmarkets platform will continue. The full list of UM Paper-branded prices to be discontinued can be found via the link below: https://www.fastmarkets.com/uploads/2025/07/All-UMPaper-Discontinuing-Markets-2025-1.pdf Fastmarkets remains fully committed to delivering trusted, independent, and transparent pricing for the Chinese pulp and paper market. Fastmarkets will continue […]
The publication of Fastmarkets’ AG-PLM-0019 refined bleached deodorised (RBD) palm olein, cfr South China assessment for Thursday July 24 was delayed due to a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.
US export controls on recycled copper would have unintended consequences that could weaken the country’s domestic recycling and manufacturing ecosystems, the president of the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) said.
Fastmarkets has launched a MB-STE-0935 Steel reinforcing bar (rebar), differential to shredded auto scrap Chicago, fob mill US, $/gross ton to complement its existing suite of steelmaking raw materials to finished product differentials on Wednesday July 23. This strategic launch is designed to offer the market a single reference price denoting the differential between steel […]
The following prices were affected:MB-BI-0001 bismuth 99.99% Bi min, in-whs Rotterdam, $ per lbMB-CD-0001 cadmium 99.95% min, cif global ports, cents per lbMB-CD-0002 cadmium 99.99% min, cif global ports, cents per lb. These prices are part of Fastmarkets’ minor metals package. For more information, or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of these prices, or if you […]