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North American Scrap Metal Prices: Copper Falls 16¢/Lb, Steel Rises – November 3, 2026
North American scrap buying benchmarks weakened on November 3, led by 16¢/lb declines across four clean copper grades. Aluminum and brass/bronze also fell, while selected steel scrap grades gained $10–$15 per metric ton. Stainless steel remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
By Carolina Curiel
Published: November 4, 2026
Market data: November 3, 2026
Market at a Glance
- Copper: ▼ 16¢/lb across four clean grades; 12 other reported grades declined by 1–6¢/lb, while three Cu/Al grades were unchanged.
- Aluminum: ▼ 1–2¢/lb across 16 grades; seven unchanged.
- Brass/Bronze: ▼ 4¢/lb across seven grades; Brass Radiator/Fe fell 1¢/lb.
- Steel: ▲ $10–$15/MT across five grades; two unchanged.
- Stainless Steel: → Flat across all eight reported grades.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): North American scrap metal prices declined across most nonferrous categories on Tuesday, November 3, as copper reversed the previous session's gains and aluminum and brass/bronze weakened on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, and #3 Copper-Light Copper each fell 16¢/lb. Brass/bronze benchmarks declined by as much as 4¢/lb, while E.C. Aluminum Wire lost 2¢/lb.
Steel scrap moved in the opposite direction, with five grades rising by $10–$15 per metric ton. Stainless steel prices remained unchanged.
ScrapMonster Edge: Copper Reverses as Steel Breaks From the Trend
Tuesday's 16¢/lb copper decline more than erased Monday's 9¢/lb rebound across three comparable clean grades: #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing. These benchmarks recorded a combined 7¢/lb net decline over the two sessions.
Steel presented a contrasting picture. #1 HMS, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel advanced $15/MT, while HMS 80/20 and Sheet Metal rose $10/MT.
Operator takeaway: Nonferrous and ferrous scrap prices are sending different signals. Copper processors are seeing renewed benchmark weakness, while selected steel grades have strengthened. Buyers and yards should evaluate purchasing adjustments by material and grade rather than assuming the same market direction applies across the scrap sector.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper recorded the day's sharpest nonferrous declines, with four clean grades each falling 16¢/lb:
- #1 Copper Bare Bright
- #1 Copper Wire and Tubing
- #2 Copper Wire and Tubing
- #3 Copper-Light Copper
Copper Radiator Scrap dropped 6¢/lb.
Four insulated and recovery grades declined 4¢/lb each: #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery, #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery, Harness Wire 35% Recovery and Romex Wire.
Heater Cores fell 3¢/lb, while Cu Yokes declined 2¢/lb.
Five additional grades lost 1¢/lb each: Alternator Scrap, Copper Transformer Scrap, Scrap Electric Motors, Starters and Sealed Units.
Unchanged: Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators and Cu/Al Radiators/Fe.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
Aluminum prices declined across 16 of the 23 reported grades, with E.C. Aluminum Wire posting the largest decrease at 2¢/lb.
Seven wrought and extrusion grades fell 1¢/lb each: 1100 Scrap, 3003 Scrap, 356 Aluminum Wheels, 5052 Scrap, 6061 Extrusions, 6063 Extrusions and 6063 Extrusions/Fe.
Eight additional grades also lost 1¢/lb: Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets, MLC Clips, Old Sheet, Old Cast, Painted Siding, UBC and Zorba 90% NF.
Unchanged: Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers, Breakage 50% Recovery and Mixed Aluminum Turnings.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Brass and bronze scrap prices weakened across eight of the nine reported grades.
Seven grades declined 4¢/lb each: 70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap, Brass Radiator, Red Brass, Rod Borings and Yellow Brass.
Brass Radiator/Fe slipped 1¢/lb, while Brass Radiator Ends remained unchanged.
Steel Scrap Prices
Steel scrap benchmarks strengthened despite the broader decline across nonferrous metals.
#1 HMS, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel each advanced $15 per metric ton.
HMS 80/20 and Sheet Metal increased $10/MT each.
Unchanged: #1 Bundle and #1 Busheling.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Stainless steel prices held steady across all eight reported grades, following the previous session's declines.
Unchanged: 201 SS, 301 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS, 310 SS, 316 SS Solid and 330 SS.
Pricing scope: This report covers day-over-day movements in ScrapMonster North American scrap buying benchmarks. Nonferrous changes are expressed in cents per pound and steel changes in U.S. dollars per metric ton. Local buying quotations vary by grade, recovery, quality, location and buyer. Current proprietary Premium price levels are not disclosed.
