In this episode of A Scrap Life, Brett and Aldo discuss the volatility and complexities of the copper trade, specifically focusing on how financing costs, speculation, and potential tariffs impact the industry. They also explore the critical role of logistics in managing cash flow and explain the arbitrage between the COMEX and LME exchanges.
Produced by Recycled Media.
In this July edition of The Trade, Brett and Chad discuss the sluggish July 2026 ferrous trade and historically low steel inventory levels. This episode explores how tariffs and domestic demand are keeping the U.S. market bullish even as the rest of the world faces economic weakness.
Produced by Recycled Media.
In this June edition of The Trade, Brett and Chad analyze the June 2026 ferrous market “standoff,” focusing on the balance between strong domestic mill demand and a cooling export market. They explore how infrastructure projects like data centers are driving scrap usage and discuss why most experts predict a “sideways” market for the month ahead.
Produced by Recycled Media.
In this May aluminum episode of The Trade, hosts Brett and Mike discuss how geopolitical conflicts and supply chain disruptions, specifically the bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz and damage to Middle Eastern smelters, have created a global deficit in the primary aluminum market. They also examine the impact of rising energy and freight costs on scrap pricing, while offering practical advice for recyclers on managing cash flow and navigating the current volatility.
Produced by Recycled Media.
In this May copper episode of The Trade, hosts Brett and Aldo discussing how financial speculation and AI-driven demand are currently fueling a volatile copper market despite rising physical inventories. They offer strategic risk-management advice for scrap yard operators, emphasizing the importance of sticking to fundamentals while navigating the disconnect between paper trading and physical supply.
Produced by Recycled Media.
In this May ferrous episode of The Trade, hosts Brett and Chad analyze the bullish scrap metal market, highlighting record-high copper prices and steady steel demand fueled by the “AI boom” and domestic infrastructure projects. They also discuss the operational challenges of rising fuel costs and inflation while emphasizing the importance of staying disciplined and reinvesting in industrial equipment.
Produced by Recycled Media.
In this May ferrous episode of The Trade, hosts Brett and Chad analyze the bullish scrap metal market, highlighting record-high copper prices and steady steel demand fueled by the “AI boom” and domestic infrastructure projects. They also discuss the operational challenges of rising fuel costs and inflation while emphasizing the importance of staying disciplined and reinvesting in industrial equipment.
Produced by Recycled Media.
In this April edition of “The Trade,” hosts Brett and Chad discuss the current state of the scrap metal market, specifically examining how the Iranian war has shifted export demand toward Turkey. They further evaluate domestic market health by analyzing steel mill utilization rates, seasonal scrap flows, and the impact of rising freight costs on April pricing.
Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of The Trade – A Scrap Life, Brett is joined by Aldo Jordan to discuss he factors driving the March 2026 copper market, including China’s economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and the impact of the strong US dollar. Aldo ultimately advises a “buy, sell, and forget it” approach for scrap handlers due to the lack of clear price support above the $6 mark.
Produced by Recycled Media.
On this episode of The Trade – A Scrap Life, Brett and Chad are joined by Atilla Widnell of Navigate Commodities, who explains how satellite technology and thermal imagery provide real-time insights into global steel mill utilization and ferris scrap demand. The discussion also covers the impact of international conflicts on market sentiment, inflation trends in the U.S. and Turkey, and China’s significant role in global scrap generation.
Produced by Recycled Media.