Smash Scrap Morning Metals Report – March 30, 2026
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Prices as of March 30, 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.
Markets are flat across the board.
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Smash Scrap Takeaways for Today
- Gold & Silver — Data feeds temporarily unavailable today for precious metals pricing. Check back tomorrow for updated gold and silver figures before making major inventory decisions.
- PGMs — Platinum group metals data currently unavailable. Our models had called palladium momentum to fade last week — that prediction proved correct as prices stagnated at $1,363. Wait for data restoration before moving cat converter inventory.
- Copper — No pricing data available today. Last week copper continued declining to $5.46 despite our wait-and-see advice. Detroit and Chicago yards should hold off on major moves until data feeds resume.
- Aluminum — Pricing data temporarily unavailable. Our previous prediction missed aluminum's strength last week when it gained to $1.49. Atlanta and Philadelphia processors should await updated figures before adjusting offers.
- Big Picture — All 8 metals remain flat today due to data feed issues, making it impossible to assess true market direction until tomorrow's session.
Macro Backdrop — Energy and Risk
Brent Crude Oil: $107.66/bbl, up $0.8200 (+0.77%) day-over-day.
Oil's climb of 82 cents reflects growing concerns about Middle East tensions and potential supply disruptions. The West Asia crisis continues to weigh on global markets, with India already considering relief packages for vulnerable sectors. This energy pressure creates a positive backdrop for American scrap yards from Detroit to Houston, as higher oil costs make recycled metals more attractive than energy-intensive primary production.
Rising energy prices typically boost scrap demand across industrial buyers in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Steel mills and aluminum smelters face higher input costs, making recycled feedstock increasingly competitive. With the 10-year Treasury yield climbing to 4.42% and inflation expectations holding steady at 2.31%, the Fed's current 3.64% rate maintains economic pressure that could support recycled materials over virgin production. Auto recyclers and industrial sellers should monitor this energy-driven advantage, especially as manufacturing costs continue rising with elevated oil prices.
Gold — Safe-Haven Indicator
- Gold: Price unavailable.
Gold data is temporarily unavailable today, but scrap sellers and recyclers should monitor how Middle East tensions continue affecting precious metals demand. With oil climbing on supply disruption concerns and the West Asia crisis prompting potential government relief packages, gold typically benefits as investors seek safe-haven assets during geopolitical uncertainty. Scrap gold dealers in Detroit and Chicago should watch for increased buying interest from refiners if central banks maintain their purchasing programs amid regional instability.
Silver — Industrial & Precious Hybrid
- Silver: Price unavailable.
Silver data is temporarily unavailable today, but scrap sellers should monitor how rising oil costs affect recycling economics. With crude climbing on Middle East tensions, recycled silver becomes more attractive than energy-intensive mining operations, potentially boosting scrap values across Detroit and Houston yards. Electronics recyclers processing old phones and computers may find stronger demand for their silver-bearing materials as manufacturers seek cost-effective alternatives to primary production.
Precious Metals (PGM) — Screen Indicators
- Platinum (Pt): Price unavailable.
- Palladium (Pd): Price unavailable.
- Rhodium (Rh): Price unavailable.
The PGM markets face data collection challenges today, with pricing information temporarily unavailable for platinum, palladium, and rhodium across major scrap centers. This follows last week's mixed performance where palladium momentum faded as predicted, while platinum surprised with strength that caught processors off guard. With Middle East tensions continuing to drive oil higher and create supply chain concerns, scrap sellers should expect volatile conditions once pricing data normalizes, as recycled PGMs become increasingly attractive alternatives to disrupted primary supply channels.
Copper — Current Indicators
- Copper: Price unavailable.
Copper pricing data is temporarily unavailable today, but scrap sellers should monitor how rising oil costs from Middle East tensions continue supporting recycled metal values across Detroit, Chicago, and Houston yards. As Brent crude climbs on supply disruption concerns, the cost advantage of recycled copper versus energy-intensive mining operations becomes more pronounced for buyers seeking #1 and #2 copper, bare bright wire, and other grades. Sellers in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Atlanta markets should expect this energy cost dynamic to provide underlying support for copper scrap pricing once normal data feeds resume.
Aluminum — Current Indicators
- Aluminum: Price unavailable.
Aluminum pricing data is temporarily unavailable today as West Asia tensions continue to support broader commodity markets, with oil climbing 82 cents to $107.66 per barrel. The ongoing Middle East crisis that prompted India to consider relief packages for vulnerable sectors should benefit scrap aluminum sellers in Detroit, Chicago, and Houston, as manufacturers seek cost-effective recycled alternatives to energy-intensive primary production. Cast, sheet, and extrusion aluminum processors across American markets may increase their offers once pricing data normalizes, especially given my recent observation that recycled materials become more attractive during periods of elevated energy costs.
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.
