Spot copper prices crashed sharply on May 15, 2026, with a single-day plunge of 1,950 yuan/ton,
marking the second consecutive day of steep declines. Domestic SHFE copper futures fell sharply
in tandem, while LME copper tumbled more than 200 dollars/ton. The market presented a clear
pattern of synchronized panic sell-off in both copper and aluminum, with domestic and overseas
markets plummeting across the board.
Latest Data:
Yangtze #1 Copper: RMB 105,790/ton, -1,950
Bare Copper Wire (Oxygen-Free, Hard): RMB 106,950/ton, -1,950
Enameled Wire: RMB 111,060/ton, -1,950
Yangtze A00 Aluminum: RMB 24,370/ton, -240
Guangdong #1 Copper: RMB 105,940/ton, -1,850
Guangdong A00 Aluminum: RMB 24,230/ton, -270
LME Copper: USD 13,732/ton, -205
SHFE 2606 Front-Month Contract: RMB 105,600/ton, -2,010
SHFE 2607 Main Contract: RMB 105,670/ton, -1,960
Market View:
Spot copper prices extended their sharp correction from the all-time high set on May 13, with a
cumulative drop of over 2,900 yuan/ton in just two days. Domestic SHFE copper futures fell in lockstep,
with both front-month and main contracts dropping nearly 2%. LME copper also tumbled overnight,
breaking below the 13,800 dollar/ton threshold. The market has now entered a high-speed risk release
phase dominated by concentrated profit-taking and risk aversion.
Industry Note:
Extreme volatility in copper prices persists, with single-day swings exceeding 2,000 yuan/ton becoming
common. Downstream procurement costs have fallen but remain at historically elevated levels, and
buyers have adopted an extreme "wait-and-see" attitude, delaying all non-urgent purchases in anticipation
of further declines. Meanwhile, vigilance is required against accelerated selling if market sentiment worsens.
Chatnow Insight:
We will maintain stable supply and consistent pricing for our customers, and buffer the impact of severe
raw material price fluctuations to the greatest extent.