For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Brass Alloy Prices in North America
- In United States, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging copper feedstock costs.
- The Brass Alloy Production Cost Trend increased significantly during March 2026 as PPI rose 4.0% and CPI reached 3.3%.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% and retail sales increased 4.0% in March 2026, which supported the Brass Alloy Demand Outlook.
- The stable 4.3% unemployment rate and 91.8 consumer confidence index in March 2026 sustained residential Brass Alloy consumption levels.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, which drove industrial factory orders and elevated the Brass Alloy Price Index.
- US housing starts strengthened in January 2026, which directly increased demand for residential plumbing and decorative Brass Alloy hardware.
- Natural gas prices surged to an all-time high in January 2026, which significantly elevated Brass Alloy smelting expenses.
- The Brass Alloy Price Forecast remained elevated throughout Q1 2026 due to fluctuating zinc and surging copper feedstock costs.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in March 2026 in North America?
- Copper feedstock prices surged in Q1 2026 due to supply disruptions, which directly increased production costs.
- Natural gas prices reached an all-time high in January 2026, which significantly elevated alloy smelting expenses.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, which drove industrial demand for precision machined brass components.
Brass Alloy Prices in APAC
- In China, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, reflecting rising input costs.
- The Producer Price Index increased 0.5% in March 2026, elevating Brass Alloy production cost trends.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% year-over-year in March 2026, supporting robust industrial Brass Alloy demand outlooks.
- Consumer Price Index rose 1.0% and retail sales grew 1.7% in March 2026, softening demand.
- Unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026 and consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, constraining demand.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, reflecting a recovery in industrial fabrication for Brass Alloy.
- Treatment charges for copper concentrate, a primary Brass Alloy feedstock, plummeted into negative territory in Q1 2026.
- Combined domestic and international exchange inventories for copper, a Brass Alloy feedstock, surged in March 2026.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Domestic mine supply of zinc, a key Brass Alloy feedstock, tightened significantly during Q1 2026.
- Global availability of copper concentrate, a critical Brass Alloy feedstock, tightened during January-February 2026.
- The Producer Price Index increased by 0.5% in March 2026, pushing Brass Alloy costs upward.
Brass Alloy Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging copper costs.
- The Brass Alloy Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as inflation reached 2.7 percent year-over-year.
- Energy expenses for brass alloying spiked in March 2026, tracking surging natural gas and electricity costs.
- The Brass Alloy Demand Outlook strengthened in February 2026, supported by a stable 4.2 percent unemployment rate.
- Automotive sector demand for brass components grew in February 2026, aligning with an expanding Manufacturing Index.
- Construction demand for brass plumbing weakened throughout Q1 2026 amid negative consumer confidence at -24.7.
- Copper feedstock availability for brass production tightened drastically in Q1 2026 due to mine supply disruptions.
- Foreign orders for German metal production strengthened in February 2026, despite stagnant industrial production at 0.0 percent.
- The Brass Alloy Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026, while producer prices declined 0.2 percent.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Copper feedstock costs for brass production surged in Q1 2026 following major mine supply disruptions.
- European natural gas and electricity expenses escalated sharply in March 2026, driving up production costs.
- Foreign orders for metal production strengthened in February 2026, increasing overall market demand and prices.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Brass Alloy Prices in North America
- In the United States, Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by rising production costs.
- Brass Alloy production costs increased, influenced by a 2.7% CPI year-over-year in December 2025.
- Input costs for industries consuming Brass Alloy rose, with PPI increasing 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025.
- Brass Alloy demand outlook strengthened as industrial production expanded 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025.
- Manufacturing output in the United States inched up in December 2025, supporting Brass Alloy demand.
- US natural gas prices were bolstered in December 2025, contributing to higher Brass Alloy production expenses.
- Retail electricity revenues increased in November 2025, further impacting Brass Alloy production costs.
- Consumer spending, indicated by a 3.3% rise in retail sales year-over-year in November 2025, indirectly boosted Brass Alloy demand.
- A 4.4% unemployment rate in December 2025 supported consumer purchasing power, sustaining Brass Alloy demand.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in December 2025 in North America?
- Brass Alloy production costs rose in December 2025 from bolstered US natural gas prices and increased electricity.
- Rising inflation, with CPI at 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, elevated raw material costs.
- Stronger industrial production, up 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, increased Brass Alloy demand.
Brass Alloy Prices in APAC
- In China, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025 and reached at - USD 9450/MT, driven by elevated feedstock costs and industrial growth.
- Brass Alloy production costs increased in Q4 2025 due to global copper supply constraints and tightened zinc concentrate.
- China's Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, indicating sector growth and supporting Brass Alloy demand.
- Industrial Production in China increased 5.2% year-on-year in December 2025, boosting Brass Alloy consumption in manufacturing.
- Weak consumer demand, with CPI at 0.8% year-on-year in December 2025, tempered Brass Alloy demand in consumer goods.
- The automotive sector maintained growth through Q4 2025, driving consistent demand for Brass Alloy components.
- Raw materials inventory in manufacturing declined in November 2025, with the decline narrowing in December 2025.
- Construction industry output contracted in Q4 2025, negatively affecting Brass Alloy demand in building materials.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Global copper supply constraints elevated international prices in Q4 2025, increasing Brass Alloy production costs.
- China's Industrial Production rose 5.2% year-on-year in December 2025, strengthening industrial demand for Brass Alloy.
- Weak consumer spending, with retail sales up 0.9% year-on-year in December 2025, limited overall Brass Alloy demand.
Brass Alloy Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by strengthening feedstock costs and recovering automotive demand.
- Brass Alloy production costs increased in Q4 2025 due to strengthening copper and zinc feedstock, and elevated energy prices.
- German industrial production grew 0.8% year-over-year in October 2025, providing a slight boost to Brass Alloy demand.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in December 2025, indicating declining business sentiment and industrial activity.
- Consumer confidence remained pessimistic at -17.5 in December 2025, negatively impacting Brass Alloy demand, with 6.2% unemployment.
- Producer prices for industrial products fell 2.5% year-over-year in December 2025, reflecting broader industrial pricing weakness.
- LME zinc stocks plummeted to record lows by October 2025, tightening supply and supporting Brass Alloy price increases.
- German automotive production strongly recovered in November-December 2025, significantly increasing Brass Alloy demand.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Copper and zinc feedstock costs strengthened significantly in Q4 2025, increasing production expenses.
- German automotive production strongly recovered in November-December 2025, driving increased Brass Alloy demand.
- LME zinc stocks plummeted to record lows by October 2025, tightening supply for key inputs.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Brass Alloy Price in North America
- In United States, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by significant production cost increases.
- Brass Alloy production costs increased, with CPI up 3.0% in September 2025 and PPI up 2.6% in August 2025.
- A 50% tariff on US copper semi-finished imports, effective August 2025, significantly elevated Brass Alloy feedstock expenses.
- Demand for Brass Alloy showed mixed signals, though US retail sales increased 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025.
- Industrial production saw a modest 0.1% year-over-year increase in September 2025, indicating slight manufacturing growth.
- The low unemployment rate of 4.3% in September 2025 supported consumer spending, despite declining consumer confidence to 94.2.
- Multifamily housing starts strengthened through August 2025, while single-family starts declined, impacting construction demand.
- Brass Alloy price forecast suggests continued upward pressure from high input costs and mixed, yet resilient, demand.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in September 2025 in North America?
- Production costs surged due to a 50% tariff on US copper semi-finished imports effective August 2025.
- Inflationary pressures, with CPI up 3.0% (September 2025) and PPI up 2.6% (August 2025), elevated raw material costs.
- Despite mixed demand, resilient retail sales and strengthening automotive sector demand provided some price support.
Brass Alloy Price in APAC
- In China, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by rising input costs and robust automotive demand.
- Brass Alloy production costs increased in Q3 2025, with input cost inflation accelerating in September due to higher metal prices.
- Industrial production increased 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, significantly supporting Brass Alloy demand.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, indicating reduced industrial activity impacting Brass Alloy demand.
- Retail sales rose 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, indirectly boosting Brass Alloy demand in consumer applications.
- China's CPI decreased 0.3% year-on-year in September 2025, suggesting weak consumer demand for Brass Alloy end-products.
- SHFE copper stocks declined to multi-year lows in Q3 2025, tightening supply for a key Brass Alloy feedstock.
- The Brass Alloy price forecast suggests continued pressure from raw material costs and fluctuating industrial sector performance.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Rising input costs, including higher metal prices and negative copper concentrate processing fees, increased production expenses.
- Robust automotive sales and a 6.5% rise in industrial production boosted Brass Alloy demand.
- Declining SHFE copper stocks tightened supply, while weak consumer confidence tempered market sentiment.
Brass Alloy Price in Europe
- In Germany, the Brass Alloy Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by tightening feedstock supply and increased production costs.
- Despite a 1.7% decline in Producer Price Index (PPI) in September 2025, Brass Alloy production costs strengthened due to specific feedstock increases.
- Brass Alloy production costs strengthened in Q3 2025, influenced by rising zinc expenses and upward natural gas prices in August 2025.
- Demand for Brass Alloy faced headwinds as Germany's Manufacturing Index was contracting in Q3 2025, indicating reduced industrial activity.
- Industrial production in Germany declined by 1.0% in September 2025, negatively impacting Brass Alloy consumption in key industrial sectors.
- European zinc inventories tightened in Q3 2025, while global copper supply faced disruptions, supporting Brass Alloy price trends.
- The stable unemployment rate at 6.3% in September 2025 offered neutral to slightly bullish support for Brass Alloy demand.
- Retail sales in Germany rose by 0.2% in September 2025, offering slight support for Brass Alloy demand in consumer-facing applications.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025, contributing to higher overall operational costs.
- The Brass Alloy Price Forecast suggests continued pressure from supply-side constraints despite subdued industrial demand in Q3 2025.
Why did the price of Brass Alloy change in September 2025 in Europe?
- European zinc supply tightened in Q3 2025 due to mine curtailments and smelter maintenance.
- Global copper supply faced disruptions in Q3 2025, shifting the market towards a deficit.
- Germany's industrial production declined by 1.0% in September 2025, dampening overall demand.
