🌎Average estimates of 2025's Q3 vs Q4 (based on the London Market Exchange)
|
Metal |
Q3 Price |
Q4 Price |
Trend |
Notes |
|
Tin |
$34,500 /tonne |
$40,800 /tonne |
▲ +18.3% |
Tin’s use in electronics solder and batteries means its price jump can ripple into tech hardware and EV components. |
|
Lead |
$1,950 /tonne |
$2,050 /tonne |
▲ +5.1% |
Modest price increases or delayed model updates as manufacturers manage higher raw-material costs. |
|
Copper |
$10,000 /tonne |
$11,200 /tonne |
▲ +12% |
Tight supply (and critical role in electrification, power grids, and data centers) suggests high prices through 2026. |
|
Silver |
$29.50 /oz |
$58.88 /oz |
▲ +99.6% (doubled!) |
Tight supply and strong demand from clean-energy and electronics industries. |
|
Steel (HRC) |
$2,650 /ton (US) |
$$2,480 /ton (US) |
▼ -6.4% |
Construction demand is soft, and inventories are high in Asia and Europe. |
🔍Consumer Implications and What to Expect Going Into 2026
-
More volatility: Precious and base metals are moving on global economic signals (interest-rate cuts, dollar weakness, China’s demand recovery). These commodity-linked inflation will create common sudden swings.
-
Risk and uncertainty: Jewelry and precious goods will see prices rising fast in the near-term, and can stay elevated with continued silver volatility.
-
Risk and uncertainty: Jewelry and precious goods will see prices rising fast in the near-term, and can stay elevated with continued silver volatility.
-
Green-transition tension: Structural metals (copper, silver, tin) will stay expensive and is likely to rise further due to clean-energy build out — this long-term inflation anchor for manufactured goods will have a continued upward pressure of higher component costs.
-
Selective consumer benefit: Steel softness and improving supply chains could temper costs in autos, housing, and appliances. Short-term relief to builders and contractors can help offset other cost pressures in construction.
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