Smash Scrap Morning Metals Report – April 17, 2026

Prices as of April 17, 2026 at 12:31 PM UTC.

Market screen levels only — not yard pay prices. Actual buy prices at the scale will differ based on grade, moisture, contamination, and freight. The scrolling ticker at the top of this page shows live prices and may differ from the snapshot below.

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• Gold — $4,812/oz ▲
• Silver — $80.18/oz ▲
• PGMs — Rh ▲ $10,000 · Pt ▲ $2,103 · Pd ▲ $1,541
• Copper — $6.05/lb ▲
• Aluminum — $1.65/lb ▼
• Steel Scrap — $413.00/mt ▸
• Macro Backdrop
• CAD — USD/CAD 1.3710

Smash Scrap Takeaways for Today

• Gold & Silver — Hold both metals as they push higher today. Gold gained $22 to $4,812/oz while silver jumped $1.40 to $80.18/oz. Our models called gold higher this week and were confirmed. Detroit and Chicago scrap dealers should expect steady refiner demand.
• PGMs — List platinum immediately at $2,103/oz (up $18). Hold palladium and rhodium for better levels. Platinum has risen four straight sessions and our analysis shows automotive demand already priced in. Pittsburgh auto recyclers should move platinum catalysts now.
• Copper — Wait before listing heavy tonnage. Copper barely moved today, up less than a penny to $6.05/lb. The recent rally needs time to stabilize before major sales. Cleveland and Atlanta processors should hold current inventory.
• Aluminum — List inventory immediately despite today's small drop of less than a penny to $1.65/lb. Infrastructure demand should support prices. Houston and Los Angeles yards should move aluminum stock while demand stays steady.
• Big Picture — Strong momentum continues with 6 of 8 metals higher today, led by silver's 1.78% surge.

Macro Backdrop — Energy and Risk

Brent Crude Oil: $95.63/bbl, down $2.75 (-2.80%) day-over-day.

Oil dropped $2.75 today as geopolitical tensions ease around the Strait of Hormuz, though supply chain disruptions from earlier conflicts continue affecting global commodity flows. The decline brings some relief to energy-intensive metals processing, particularly helping aluminum smelting costs after recent spikes. However, scrap yards from Detroit to Atlanta should note that China's $140 billion infrastructure stimulus package is driving strong demand for recycled copper and aluminum, offsetting some energy cost benefits.

The weaker dollar (down 0.32 points) makes U.S. scrap more attractive to overseas buyers, especially as Chinese manufacturers ramp up production under the stimulus program. Pittsburgh steel processors and Houston ship breakers are seeing steady demand despite today's oil pullback, as industrial metals maintain their recent momentum from supply chain tightening and infrastructure spending. Cleveland auto recyclers should expect continued strong appetite for copper-rich components as global supply disruptions keep primary metal costs elevated compared to recycled alternatives.

Gold — Safe-Haven Indicator

• Spot Gold (XAU): $4,812/oz, up +$22.30 (+0.47%) day-over-day. Previous close: $4,790/oz.
• 5-day trend: ↓ 3 of last 5 sessions.

Gold edged higher by $22 today as easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz brought some relief to energy costs, though the metal remains supported by central bank buying programs and safe-haven demand. The modest gain keeps gold near recent highs, which is good news for scrap gold sellers in Detroit and Chicago who have been waiting for better levels to liquidate jewelry and electronic waste. With geopolitical risks still present despite today's calmer oil markets, gold continues attracting institutional buyers looking for portfolio protection.

Silver — Industrial & Precious Hybrid

• Spot Silver (XAG): $80.18/oz, up +$1.40 (+1.78%) day-over-day. Previous close: $78.78/oz.
• 5-day trend: ↓ 3 of last 5 sessions.
• Gold/Silver ratio: 60.0:1.

Silver gained $1.40 to reach $80.18 per ounce as easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz helped reduce supply chain concerns that had been weighing on industrial metals. The move brings some relief to electronics recyclers and industrial scrap sellers who depend on silver's dual role as both a precious metal and key industrial input for solar panels and electronics. With the gold-silver ratio at 60:1, silver remains relatively affordable compared to gold, making this a reasonable time for scrap dealers to consider moving inventory before any potential pullbacks.

Precious Metals (PGM) — Screen Indicators

• Platinum (Pt): $2,103/oz, up +$18.00 (+0.86%) day-over-day. Previous close: $2,085/oz. MoM: +4.2%.
• Platinum 5-day trend: ↑ 4 of last 5 sessions.
• Palladium (Pd): $1,541/oz, up +$3.00 (+0.20%) day-over-day. Previous close: $1,538/oz. MoM: +5.4%.
• Palladium 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.
• Rhodium (Rh): $10,000/oz, up +$25.00 (+0.25%) day-over-day. Previous close: $9,975/oz. MoM: -12.3%.
• Rhodium 5-day trend: → flat over last 5 sessions.

Precious metals moved higher today with all three PGMs posting gains as oil prices eased tensions around supply disruptions. Platinum rose eighteen dollars to $2,103 per ounce, building on recent automotive demand strength, while palladium added three dollars to reach $1,541. Rhodium climbed twenty-five dollars to the $10,000 level, showing steady buying interest from industrial users. The easing of geopolitical tensions helped reduce energy costs for refiners and recyclers, particularly benefiting operations in Detroit and Chicago that process high volumes of catalytic converters.

Copper — Current Indicators

• COMEX/Spot Copper: $6.05/lb, up +$0.0065 (+0.11%) day-over-day. Previous close: $6.05/lb.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.

Copper gained less than a cent to $6.05 per pound as easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz helped lower energy costs for smelters and processors. The small uptick continues copper's recent strength, with prices holding near multi-week highs despite reduced geopolitical pressure. Detroit and Chicago scrap yards should expect steady demand for #1 and #2 copper, while bare bright sellers in Houston and Los Angeles can still capitalize on the elevated price environment before any potential correction.

Aluminum — Current Indicators

• LME Aluminum: $3,637/tonne ($1.65/lb), down $0.0035 (-0.21%) day-over-day. Previous close: $1.65/lb.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.

Aluminum dipped slightly today as oil prices fell and eased some pressure on smelting costs, though the metal remains well-supported by steady infrastructure demand. The tiny decline shouldn't worry Detroit auto recyclers or Chicago sheet aluminum sellers, as the 5-day trend shows buyers stepping in during three of the last five sessions. Cast aluminum dealers in Houston and Pittsburgh can expect continued interest from construction and automotive sectors, while extrusion sellers should benefit from ongoing infrastructure projects despite today's minor pullback.

Steel Scrap (Shredded (SHS), scrapmonster) — Current Indicators

• Steel Scrap Shredded (SHS) (SCRAP-SHS): $413.00/mt, flat day-over-day. Previous close: $413.00/mt.
• 5-day trend: → flat over last 5 sessions.
• HMS 1&2 (80:20) (SCRAP-HM): $366.00/mt (flat day-over-day).

Want to move PGM-bearing material, copper, aluminum, or steel scrap through competitive bidding? List your lots on Smash Scrap and let vetted buyers compete for your scrap.