Copper and E.C. Wire Rise as Stainless Scrap Falls

North American scrap benchmarks were mixed on October 16, with four major clean copper grades and E.C. Aluminum Wire gaining 1¢/lb. Stainless steel declined across every listed grade, while steel and brass/bronze remained unchanged.

By Carolina Curiel
Published October 19, 2026
Market data: October 16, 2026

MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): North American scrap metal prices were mostly unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index on Friday, October 16, 2026, with selective gains in copper and E.C. Aluminum Wire offset by broad declines across stainless steel.

Four major clean copper grades increased by $0.01 per lb, while all other listed copper grades held steady. E.C. Aluminum Wire was the only aluminum grade to move higher.

Stainless steel moved lower across every listed grade. Steel and brass/bronze scrap prices remained unchanged.

Copper Scrap Prices

Copper recorded modest gains across several major clean grades.

#1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Bare Bright and #3 Copper-Light Copper each rose by $0.01 per lb.

Copper Radiator Scrap reported no change on the Index.

Alternator Scrap, #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery and #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery were unchanged.

Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators, Cu/Al Radiators/Fe, Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Heater Cores, Romex Wire, Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Sealed Units and Xmas Lights also held their previous-day levels.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

E.C. Aluminum Wire was the only listed aluminum grade to record a daily price change, rising by $0.01 per lb.

1100 Scrap and 3003 Scrap remained flat. Prices for 356 Aluminum Wheels and 6063 Extrusions/Fe were also unchanged.

6063 Extrusions held steady over the day.

5052 Scrap and 6061 Extrusions remained at their previous-day levels.

Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers and Breakage 50% Recovery were unchanged.

Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets and MLC Clips also held steady.

Mixed Aluminum Turnings, Old Cast, UBC, Old Sheet, Painted Siding and Zorba 90% NF recorded no change.

Steel Scrap Prices

Steel scrap prices remained unchanged across all reported categories.

#1 Bundle held steady.

#1 Busheling and #1 HMS were also unchanged on the Index.

HMS 80/20, Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel recorded no change from the previous session.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

Stainless steel posted broad declines across every listed grade.

201 SS fell by $0.01 per lb.

301 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS and 316 SS Solid each declined by $0.02 per lb.

310 SS fell by $0.03 per lb.

330 SS recorded the largest absolute stainless steel decline of the session, dropping $0.04 per lb.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

North American brass and bronze scrap prices recorded no change on the Index.

70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap and Brass Radiator remained unchanged.

Brass Radiator/Fe and Brass Radiator Ends also held steady from the previous day.

Red Brass, Red Borings and Yellow Brass were also flat on the Index.

Market Read

The October 16 session produced a split market. Copper recovered modestly after the prior session's decline, with the four major clean grades gaining 1¢/lb, while E.C. Aluminum Wire provided the only movement within aluminum.

Stainless steel showed the clearest weakness, with declines across every listed grade and losses ranging from 1¢/lb to 4¢/lb. Steel and brass/bronze remained the stable parts of the market.

Benchmark buying-price move • Local quotes can vary by grade, quantity, quality and location.