Market at a Glance

• Copper: ▲ 8¢/lb across four major clean grades; seven additional grades gained 1–3¢/lb.
• Aluminum: → Flat across all 23 reported grades.
• Brass/Bronze: ▲ 2¢/lb across seven grades; two radiator-related grades unchanged.
• Stainless Steel: → Flat across all eight reported grades.
• Steel: → Flat across all seven reported benchmarks.

SCRAPMONSTER EDGE | MARKET ANALYSIS

Copper Rebounds 10¢ Over Two Sessions, but Remains Below Thursday's Level

Monday's 8¢/lb increase followed Friday's 2¢/lb gain across the same four principal copper grades.

Together, those advances recovered 10¢/lb of the 17¢/lb decline recorded on November 5. The grades therefore remained 7¢/lb lower across the three trading sessions.

Brass/bronze also improved, with seven listed grades gaining 2¢/lb. However, the recovery was not broad-based across the full scrap market, as aluminum, stainless steel and ferrous benchmarks held steady.

Operator takeaway: Copper's recovery is gaining momentum, but the cumulative three-session change remains negative. Scrap yards, processors and brokers should evaluate grade-level price movements over multiple sessions rather than relying on a single day's increase.

Copper Scrap Prices

▲ 1–8¢/lb | Eleven grades increased

Copper scrap prices strengthened across several reported grades, led by four principal clean categories.

▲ 8¢/lb: #1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing and #3 Copper-Light Copper.

▲ 3¢/lb: Copper Radiator Scrap.

▲ 2¢/lb: #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery, #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery, Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Romex Wire and Heater Cores.

▲ 1¢/lb: Cu Yokes.

Unchanged: Alternator Scrap, Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators, Cu/Al Radiators/Fe, Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Sealed Units and Xmas Lights.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

→ Flat | All 23 reported grades unchanged

Aluminum scrap prices remained unchanged across all reported North American categories, including 6063 Extrusions, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Old Cast and UBC.

Unchanged: 1100 Scrap, 3003 Scrap, 356 Aluminum Wheels, 6063 Extrusions/Fe, 6063 Extrusions, 5052 Scrap, 6061 Extrusions, Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers, Breakage 50% Recovery, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets, MLC Clips, Mixed Aluminum Turnings, Old Cast, UBC, Old Sheet, Painted Siding and Zorba 90% NF.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

▲ 2¢/lb | Seven grades increased; two unchanged

Brass and bronze scrap prices recorded modest gains following the previous trading session's stable performance.

▲ 2¢/lb: 70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap, Brass Radiator Scrap, Red Brass, Red Borings and Yellow Brass.

Unchanged: Brass Radiator/Fe and Brass Radiator Ends.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

→ Flat | All eight reported grades unchanged

Stainless steel scrap prices held steady on November 9 following gains across all grades in the previous trading session.

Unchanged: 201 SS, 301 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS, 310 SS, 316 SS Solid and 330 SS.

Steel Scrap Prices

→ Flat | All seven reported benchmarks unchanged

North American ferrous scrap prices recorded no day-over-day changes across the tracked grades.

Unchanged: #1 Bundle, #1 Busheling, #1 HMS, HMS 80/20, Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel.

October's Market Trend Provides a Wider Perspective

The recent copper recovery follows a difficult October for North American nonferrous scrap. ScrapMonster's October 2026 Scrap Market Scorecard found that four major clean copper grades declined 15¢/lb during the month, while selected steel scrap benchmarks gained $10–$20 per metric ton.

For subscribers, the October Premium Market Intelligence Report provides detailed historical assessments for 74 scrap grades, monthly averages, 13-week and year-over-year comparisons, and supporting commodity benchmarks.