Scrap metals are becoming a highly sought-after high-value resource. What are the current market prices for scrap metals such as copper, iron, steel, and aluminum?

Copper, aluminum, steel, and iron scrap are traded in a market that moves quickly and varies by location, grade, and buyer requirements. What you see online is often a benchmark or an index, while what a yard pays reflects sorting costs, contamination, transport, and local competition. To understand “current” prices, it helps to separate global reference prices from local purchase quotes.

How are scrap metal prices determined?

Scrap pricing usually starts with a reference point: exchange-traded prices for refined metals (common for copper and aluminum) or published scrap indexes for ferrous grades (common for steel and iron). Buyers then adjust for scrap grade (purity and alloy), form factor (wire, sheet, turnings), and processing needs. Deductions for insulation, paint, moisture, and mixed material can be substantial. Freight distance, local mill or smelter demand, and the dealer’s margin also influence the final per-pound or per-ton quote.

Do scrap metal prices fluctuate frequently with market volatility?

Yes—many scrap grades can change weekly, and in fast markets even daily. Copper and aluminum scrap often follow moves in refined metal futures, plus local “spreads” that widen or narrow with availability. Ferrous scrap is frequently negotiated on a shorter cycle (commonly monthly in some regions), but export-driven markets can reprice faster when shipping rates, currency moves, or import demand changes. Sudden events—energy price spikes, port disruptions, or industrial slowdowns—can show up quickly in dealer bids.

Are scrap metal prices currently high or low?

Whether prices feel “high” or “low” depends on your comparison point (last week, last year, or a multi-year average) and on the specific grade. Copper tends to show the largest swings in dollar terms per pound, while ferrous scrap often moves in broader per-ton steps tied to construction and manufacturing cycles. A practical way to judge today’s level is to compare: (1) the refined benchmark (e.g., exchange price), (2) the scrap discount or premium for your grade, and (3) local yard competition. The same metal can be “high” in one region and “soft” in another.

What factors most likely drive changes in the prices of scrap metal-related stocks?

Public companies exposed to scrap and recycling tend to react to more than spot scrap quotes. Key drivers often include scrap-to-finished spread (what mills can sell finished metal for versus what they pay for scrap), industrial production trends, construction and automotive demand, and energy costs for processing. Investors also watch freight and logistics constraints, inventory levels at mills, currency shifts (important for exporters), and policy changes affecting trade flows or recycling requirements. Company-specific factors—debt costs, contract mix, and capital spending—can amplify commodity moves.

Real-world pricing benchmarks and examples

Real-time “current” scrap prices are local quotes, so the most reliable approach is to call multiple yards in your area and specify the exact grade and condition (clean, sorted, quantity, and whether pickup is needed). The estimates below are typical benchmark-style ranges used for orientation and may differ materially by region, grade, and transaction size. For copper and aluminum, scrap often tracks a percentage of the refined benchmark; for steel and iron, local mill demand and export prices can dominate.

Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.

In practice, “current price” should be treated as a process: confirm the exact grade, check a recognized benchmark for direction, then validate with multiple local purchase quotes. If you are comparing offers, ask whether the quote is before or after deductions, whether it includes pickup, and how the dealer measures weight and contamination. This is especially important for copper wire (insulation content) and mixed aluminum (alloy separation).