US copper scrap discounts, brass prices flat

Copper scrap discounts in the United States were stuck in a holding pattern on Wednesday December 7, while brass prices consolidated recent gains amid rising prices on The Commodity Exchange (Comex)

Supply and demand remain relatively balanced despite market sources reporting a slowdown in business activity ahead of the year-end while businesses look to keep inventories to a minimum for accounting purposes.

“Spreads have remained the same and no one is aggressively buying because they just want to finish the year now,” one copper scrap trader said.

Fastmarkets’ weekly assessment of copper scrap No1 copper, discount, buying price, delivered to brass mill US was unchanged at 9-11 cents per lb on December 7.

The copper scrap No1 copper, discount, buying price, delivered to refiners was also flat at 9-12 cents per lb on Wednesday, while the copper scrap No2 copper, discount, buying price, delivered to refiners was unchanged at 32-36 cents per lb.

The most-active March delivery Comex copper contract settled at $3.8605 per lb on December 7, up 3.28% from $3.738 per lb a week earlier.

Recent increases on the Comex have helped set a floor for brass prices despite muted trading activity.

Fastmarkets’ assessment of the copper scrap No1 comp solids, buying price, delivered to brass ingot held at $2.74-2.80 per lb on Wednesday, while copper scrap comp borings, turnings, buying price, delivered to brass ingot makers remained at $2.50-2.60 per lb.

Fastmarkets’ assessment of the copper scrap radiators, buying price, delivered to brass ingot makers was also unchanged at $2.25-2.30 per lb on December 7.

“All is very quiet in the physical trade and likely will be the case through year-end. Spreads are stable and quiet and reflective of current ranges,” another scrap trader said.

What to read next
The publication of Fastmarkets’ assessments for nickel 4x4 cathode, nickel briquette and nickel uncut cathode premiums in-whs Rotterdam was delayed on Tuesday July 16 because of a reporter error.
Fastmarkets has corrected its alumina index inferred prices, which were published incorrectly on Tuesday July 15.
The United States' copper recycling industry is ramping up pressure on policymakers to impose some form of export controls on high-purity copper scrap, arguing that current trade dynamics – particularly with China – are distorting prices, weakening domestic capacity and undermining national security goals.
Fastmarkets launched two new price assessments for Indonesia’s domestic trade in nickel ore on Tuesday July 15. The two price assessments are for domestic trades of Indonesian laterite ores with 1.6% and 1.2% nickel content. Indonesia now accounts for 60% of the global nickel supplies and while there is an official government reference price, known […]
US copper scrap market participants are shifting from COMEX to LME pricing in response to extreme price volatility and a new 50% copper import tariff. The change is influencing discount formulas, export strategies and long-term trading dynamics across the sector.
The proposal follows preliminary discussions with the market and internal analysis of price usage, which suggests low market liquidity and a lack of demand. Specifically, Fastmarkets is proposing to discontinue: MB-CU-0410 Copper rod premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lbQuality: Purity of 99.95-99.99%. Thicknesses of 8 millimeters or 0.3125 inchesQuantity: Min 25,000 poundsLocation: Delivered US MidwestUnit: US […]