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North American Scrap Metal Prices: Copper Gains 5¢/Lb, Brass Rises – October 26, 2026
North American scrap metal prices extended their recovery on October 26, 2026, as major clean copper grades gained 5¢/lb and several brass/bronze benchmarks advanced 1¢/lb. Aluminum, stainless steel and steel remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
By Carolina Curiel
Report date: October 27, 2026
Market data: October 26, 2026
Market at a Glance
- Copper: Four major clean grades ↑5¢/lb; selected recovery grades ↑1¢/lb.
- Brass/Bronze: Seven listed grades ↑1¢/lb.
- Aluminum: → Flat across reported grades.
- Stainless Steel: → Flat across all eight listed grades.
- Steel: → Flat across all seven listed benchmarks.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): North American scrap buying benchmarks opened the week higher on Monday, October 26, with copper recording the strongest gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing and #3 Copper-Light Copper each increased 5¢/lb, extending Friday's 10¢/lb rebound.
Brass and bronze scrap followed with gains of 1¢/lb across several major grades. Aluminum, stainless steel and steel benchmarks were unchanged, leaving Monday's gains concentrated in copper and brass.
Pricing note: ScrapMonster reports benchmark buying-price movements. Local quotations may vary by grade, material quality, quantity, location and individual buyer conditions.
ScrapMonster Edge: Copper Recovers 15¢ of Thursday's 19¢ Decline
Monday's increase marked a second consecutive advance for North America's four major clean copper grades.
After falling 19¢/lb on October 22, those benchmarks recovered 10¢/lb on Friday and another 5¢/lb on Monday.
| Market Date | Daily Move | Since Oct. 21 Close |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 22 | ↓19¢/lb | −19¢/lb |
| Oct. 23 | ↑10¢/lb | −9¢/lb |
| Oct. 26 | ↑5¢/lb | −4¢/lb |
Source: ScrapMonster daily benchmark changes, October 22–26, 2026. Cumulative movements are measured against the October 21 close for the four major clean copper grades.
The two-session rebound recovered 15¢ of the earlier 19¢ loss, leaving clean copper benchmarks 4¢/lb below their October 21 closing levels.
Major brass grades followed a similar recovery pattern, although their gains were smaller. After declining 4¢/lb on October 22, the seven main advancing grades recovered a combined 3¢/lb on October 23 and 26.
Market takeaway: Copper and brass have recovered most, but not all, of last Thursday's losses. Aluminum is holding its recent gains, while steel and stainless steel remain stable.
Copper Scrap Prices Gain Another 5¢/Lb
Copper led the October 26 session, with four major clean grades advancing 5¢/lb:
- #1 Copper Bare Bright
- #1 Copper Wire and Tubing
- #2 Copper Wire and Tubing
- #3 Copper-Light Copper
Smaller gains extended to several secondary categories. #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery, #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery, Copper Radiator, Harness Wire 35% Recovery and Romex Wire each increased 1¢/lb.
Unchanged copper grades: Alternator Scrap, Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators, Cu/Al Radiators/Fe, Heater Cores, Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Sealed Units and Xmas Lights.
The gains remained concentrated in clean copper, while many mixed-metal and recovery-grade benchmarks held steady.
Aluminum Scrap Prices Hold Steady
Aluminum scrap recorded no day-over-day changes across the grades covered in Monday's report.
Unchanged sheet, extrusion and wheel grades: 1100 Scrap, 356 Aluminum Wheels, 5052 Scrap, 6061 Extrusions, 6063 Extrusions and 6063 Extrusions/Fe.
Other unchanged categories: Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers, Breakage 50% Recovery, Chrome Wheels, E.C. Aluminum Wire, Litho Sheets, MLC Clips, Mixed Aluminum Turnings, Old Cast, Old Sheet, Painted Siding, UBC and Zorba 90% NF.
The flat session followed Friday's widespread aluminum gains, including a 2¢/lb increase in E.C. Aluminum Wire.
Brass and Bronze Scrap Prices Rise 1¢/Lb
Brass and bronze scrap prices continued recovering, with seven major listed grades gaining 1¢/lb:
- 70/30 Brass Scrap
- 80/20 Brass Scrap
- 85/15 Brass Scrap
- Brass Radiator
- Red Brass
- Red Borings
- Yellow Brass
Brass Radiator/Fe and Brass Radiator Ends remained unchanged.
The latest increase followed Friday's 2¢/lb advance across the same seven grades, extending their recovery from the previous week's decline.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices Remain Unchanged
All eight listed stainless steel grades retained their previous-session benchmarks:
201 SS, 301 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning, 309 SS, 310 SS, 316 SS Solid and 330 SS.
The unchanged readings extended Friday's stability following the broad stainless steel increases recorded on October 22.
Steel Scrap Prices Hold Previous Levels
North American steel scrap prices were unchanged across all seven listed categories.
#1 Bundle, #1 Busheling, #1 HMS, HMS 80/20, Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel all maintained their previous-session levels.
Steel therefore continued to hold the benchmark gains recorded on October 21, when prices increased by $10–$15 per metric ton.
ScrapMonster Market Read
Monday's session extended the recovery in copper and brass without producing a broader advance across the remaining scrap categories.
Clean copper has now recovered 15¢/lb over two sessions, although the benchmarks remain below their October 21 levels. Brass also continued higher, while aluminum, stainless steel and steel maintained their previous prices.
For scrap yards, brokers and industrial buyers, the most relevant development is the continued improvement in clean copper buying benchmarks after last week's sharp decline. The next daily update will show whether that recovery extends into more secondary copper grades.
