Smash Scrap Morning Metals Report – May 14, 2026

Prices as of May 14, 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.

Jump to:

• Gold — $4,698/oz ▲
• Silver — $86.64/oz ▼
• PGMs — Rh ▸ $9,975 · Pt ▼ $2,133 · Pd ▼ $1,479
• Copper — $6.64/lb ▲
• Aluminum — $1.66/lb ▲
• Steel Scrap — $413.00/mt ▸
• Macro Backdrop
• CAD — USD/CAD 1.3703

Smash Scrap Takeaways for Today

• Gold & Silver — Sell gold scrap now on tiny gain but hold silver scrap as it dips 1.4% and may rebound soon.
• PGMs — Hold platinum, palladium, and rhodium scrap with all flat or down—wait for buying opportunities.
• Copper — List clean copper scrap today as prices rise a penny per pound.
• Aluminum — Sell aluminum scrap while prices edge up a quarter percent.
• Big Picture — Mixed market with 2 of 8 metals higher today.

Macro Backdrop — Energy and Risk

Brent Crude Oil: $104.04/bbl, down $1.40 (-1.33%) day-over-day.

# Macro Backdrop — Energy and Risk

Oil fell $1.40 to $104.04 per barrel, down 1.33% as demand concerns weigh on energy markets. Middle East tensions and tight supply have supported prices around $104, but economic slowdowns in major manufacturing regions are keeping a lid on crude. Higher transportation costs still squeeze scrap yard margins, though we're seeing relief compared to earlier peaks. The Canadian dollar holding steady near 1.37 helps cross-border operators manage costs.

Supply chain strain is hitting its highest level since 2022 as companies stockpile materials to protect against inflation and shortages. This buying activity typically boosts demand for recycled metals, but also increases competition for quality scrap. Auto production fell 3.98% in March, signaling softer vehicle recycling flows ahead. Watch for this trend to pressure shredder volumes over the next quarter.

Gold — Safe-Haven Indicator

• Spot Gold (XAU): $4,698/oz, up +$2.30 (+0.05%) day-over-day. Previous close: $4,696/oz.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.

Gold hit $4,698 per ounce today, up $2.30 or 0.05% as it climbed in 3 of the last 5 sessions. High prices and strong recycling demand make now a great time for scrap sellers—global scrap gold recycling is set to grow 8.3% to $16.88 billion this year amid economic uncertainty. Recyclers, melt and sell while values stay hot.

Silver — Industrial & Precious Hybrid

• Spot Silver (XAG): $86.64/oz, down $1.25 (-1.42%) day-over-day. Previous close: $87.89/oz.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.
• Gold/Silver ratio: 54.2:1.

Silver fell $1.25 to $86.64 per ounce today, down 1.42% as demand worries match the drop in oil to $104 per barrel. Scrap sellers and recyclers should hold steady—prices rose in 3 of the last 5 days, and global supply chain strains may boost demand soon. The gold-silver ratio at 54.2:1 keeps silver looking cheap for buyers.

Precious Metals (PGM) — Screen Indicators

• Platinum (Pt): $2,133/oz, down $9.00 (-0.42%) day-over-day. Previous close: $2,142/oz. MoM: +1.7%.
• Platinum 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.
• Palladium (Pd): $1,479/oz, down $7.00 (-0.47%) day-over-day. Previous close: $1,486/oz. MoM: -5.9%.
• Palladium 5-day trend: ↑ 3 of last 5 sessions.
• Rhodium (Rh): $9,975/oz, flat day-over-day. Previous close: $9,975/oz. MoM: +0.2%.
• Rhodium 5-day trend: ↑ 1 of last 5 sessions.

Platinum and palladium scrap prices dipped today, with platinum at $2,133 per ounce and palladium at $1,479 per ounce, both down about 0.5%. Rhodium held steady at $9,975 per ounce. Higher PGM prices and growing recycling demand make now a good time for scrap sellers to cash in, even as oil's drop to $104 per barrel signals softer energy demand ahead.

Copper — Current Indicators

• COMEX/Spot Copper: $6.64/lb, up +$0.0100 (+0.15%) day-over-day. Previous close: $6.63/lb.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 4 of last 5 sessions.

Copper is holding strong at $6.64 per pound after climbing steadily this week, with four of the last five trading sessions moving higher. Supply chain pressures and firms stockpiling raw materials are supporting prices, even as broader energy markets face weakness from economic slowdown concerns. Scrap sellers should keep an eye on global supply tightness—it's been the real driver keeping copper elevated in 2026.

Aluminum — Current Indicators

• LME Aluminum: $3,663/tonne ($1.66/lb), up +$0.0041 (+0.25%) day-over-day. Previous close: $1.66/lb.
• 5-day trend: ↑ 4 of last 5 sessions.

Aluminum scrap hit $1.66 per pound today, up a tiny 0.25% or less than a cent. It climbed in 4 of the last 5 days, riding strong demand even as oil dips to $104 per barrel on slowdown fears. Sellers, hold tight—global supply strains may keep prices firm.

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.