Smash Scrap Morning Metals Report – March 13, 2026

Prices as of March 13, 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 — $5,108/oz ▲
• Silver — $84.12/oz ▲
• PGMs — Rh ▸ $11,500 · Pt ▼ $2,091 · Pd ▼ $1,592
• Copper — $5.79/lb ▼
• Aluminum — $1.58/lb ▼
• Steel Scrap — $413.00/mt ▸
• Macro Backdrop
• CAD — USD/CAD 1.3617

Smash Scrap Takeaways for Today

• Gold & Silver — Gold up $11 to $5,108/oz shows steady momentum despite mixed precious metals action. Silver flat at $84.12/oz after recent strong runs. Hold existing gold inventory as trend remains positive, but consider selling silver positions in Detroit and Chicago yards before profit-taking accelerates.
• PGMs — Platinum down $47 to $2,091/oz (-2.2%) and palladium off $17 to $1,592/oz continue recent weakness. Our models called palladium higher but missed the continued selling pressure. List platinum scrap on Smash Scrap in Cleveland and Pittsburgh markets while rhodium holds steady at $11,500/oz.
• Copper — Down 4 cents to $5.79/lb as industrial demand concerns outweigh supply disruption fears. Houston and Los Angeles yards seeing weaker pricing across electrical wire and plumbing scrap. Hold copper inventory short-term as oversold conditions may create bounce opportunity.
• Aluminum — Off 2 cents to $1.58/lb (-1.2%) as auto recyclers in Atlanta and Philadelphia report softer can and siding prices. Sell aluminum positions today as downtrend shows no signs of reversing and industrial demand remains weak.
• Big Picture — Only 1 of 8 metals higher today with gold leading while base metals and most PGMs decline, signaling mixed market conditions favoring selective precious metals exposure.

Macro Backdrop — Energy and Risk

Brent Crude Oil: $99.52/bbl, up $0.5300 (+0.54%) day-over-day.

Oil's 53-cent climb reflects growing concerns about Middle East supply disruptions as the Iran conflict escalates. Headlines show India's government directing states to prevent LPG hoarding while crude supplies remain "comfortable but not all is well" — signaling real supply chain stress beyond just price speculation. Higher energy costs boost scrap values in two ways: they increase production costs for primary metals like steel and aluminum, making recycled materials more attractive, and they raise transportation expenses that favor local scrap sourcing over distant virgin materials.

The broader macro picture shows mixed signals for scrap demand. Rising inflation expectations and steady Fed rates suggest continued industrial activity, but geopolitical uncertainty could crimp manufacturing confidence. Scrap yards from Detroit's auto belt to Houston's industrial corridor should watch for supply chain managers stockpiling recycled inputs as insurance against further energy spikes. The Canadian dollar's strength against the greenback also makes cross-border scrap flows more attractive for American sellers, particularly benefiting Great Lakes region operators near the border.

Gold — Safe-Haven Indicator

• Spot Gold (XAU): $5,108/oz, up +$11.00 (+0.22%) day-over-day. Previous close: $5,097/oz.
• 5-day trend: ↓ 3 of last 5 sessions.

Gold edged higher amid escalating Middle East tensions, with supply disruption fears supporting the precious metal as a safe-haven asset. Scrap gold sellers in Detroit, Chicago, and other major markets are benefiting from this geopolitical premium, though gold has declined in three of the last five sessions, suggesting some profit-taking pressure. With crude oil climbing on Iran conflict concerns and government moves to prevent LPG hoarding, recyclers and jewelers should watch whether safe-haven demand can sustain current elevated levels.

Silver — Industrial & Precious Hybrid

• Spot Silver (XAG): $84.12/oz, up +$0.0280 (+0.03%) day-over-day. Previous close: $84.09/oz.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.
• Gold/Silver ratio: 60.7:1.

Silver edged up slightly amid growing Middle East supply chain tensions that are rippling through energy markets, though the white metal's modest gain reflects its complex position as both a safe haven and industrial commodity. At a gold-silver ratio of 60.7:1, silver remains relatively expensive compared to gold, suggesting scrap sellers from Detroit to Houston may find decent value in current pricing for jewelry, silverware, and industrial scrap. Electronics recyclers should watch how escalating Iran conflicts affect both precious metal demand and industrial supply chains, as silver's dual role in solar panels and circuit boards makes it sensitive to both geopolitical risk and manufacturing disruptions.

Precious Metals (PGM) — Screen Indicators

• Platinum (Pt): $2,091/oz, down $47.00 (-2.20%) day-over-day. Previous close: $2,138/oz.
• Platinum 5-day trend: ↓ 3 of last 5 sessions.
• Palladium (Pd): $1,592/oz, down $17.00 (-1.06%) day-over-day. Previous close: $1,609/oz.
• Palladium 5-day trend: ↓ 4 of last 5 sessions.
• Rhodium (Rh): $11,500/oz, flat day-over-day. Previous close: $11,500/oz.
• Rhodium 5-day trend: → flat over last 5 sessions.

PGM prices pulled back as Middle East supply concerns intensified, with platinum dropping $47 and palladium falling $17 while rhodium held steady at $11,500 per ounce. This continues the recent downward pressure on platinum and palladium, with both metals declining in most sessions over the past week despite growing oil market tensions. Scrap sellers in Detroit, Chicago, and other major markets should expect softer quotes for catalytic converters and industrial PGM-bearing materials, though rhodium's stability provides some support for higher-grade automotive scrap.

Copper — Current Indicators

• COMEX/Spot Copper: $5.79/lb, down $0.0350 (-0.60%) day-over-day. Previous close: $5.82/lb.
• 5-day trend: ↓ 3 of last 5 sessions.

Copper dropped about 4 cents today as Middle East supply disruption concerns continue to create market uncertainty, with scrap yards from Detroit to Houston seeing the red metal slip back toward recent lows. The ongoing Iran conflict is keeping industrial buyers cautious about committing to large purchases, which pressures demand for both #1 and #2 copper along with bare bright and copper wire grades across American scrap markets. With copper showing weakness in three of the last five trading sessions, sellers in major markets like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta should watch for any signs that geopolitical tensions are easing, which could help stabilize pricing for the week ahead.

Aluminum — Current Indicators

• LME Aluminum: $3,477/tonne ($1.58/lb), down $0.0192 (-1.20%) day-over-day. Previous close: $1.60/lb.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.

Aluminum dipped about 2 cents as Middle East supply concerns continue to ripple through commodity markets, though the metal has shown resilience with gains in 3 of the last 5 sessions. The ongoing Iran conflict and oil's climb to $99.52 per barrel are creating mixed signals for industrial metals like aluminum, where energy costs matter but supply disruptions remain less direct than for oil-dependent commodities. Scrap sellers in Detroit, Chicago, and other major markets should expect steady demand for cast, sheet, and extrusion aluminum as manufacturers balance higher energy costs against solid underlying consumption.

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.