Market Updates

COPPER

This chart indicates futures only. Click here for a daily COMEX chart.

Copper climbed above $5.50 this month, marking an increase of over 6% from last month. Historically, copper prices tend to rise in December and then soften during the first quarter. Current forecasts predict that copper will remain in the $5.00-and-above range for most of 2026. Additionally, strong demand from data centers is expected to offset some of the slowdown anticipated in Chinese markets next year.

ALUMINUM

Aluminum has been gradually increasing over the past 60 days, with manufacturers on the conduit and fitting side announcing a 10% price hike this month. Demand for aluminum wire has remained relatively low, preventing price increases from wire manufacturers so far. However, we anticipate adjustments to occur in Q1 as utility spring purchases drive demand upward.

STEEL

Steel coil prices have risen 13% over the past 60 days, driven by continued growth in auto sales and data center construction, which is keeping the supply chain tight. In response, steel manufacturers have announced price increases ranging from 5% to 10%. For more details, please refer to the Steel & Market Update below.

Steel & Market Update - 11/17/25

December 15, 2025

Key Takeaways

The commodity markets decided to finish out the year with a bang! Over the past 60 days, we have seen notable price increases in copper and aluminum wire, steel conduit, PVC, and aluminum conduit. While markets typically soften a bit after the start of the new year, the outlook for demand remains extremely high for commodity products in 2026.

Maggie McGurk, Van Meter Inc.
Maggie McGurk
Commodities Manager
Van Meter Inc.
LEAD TIMES
Medium Voltage Cable - 35kv  40-44 weeks
Medium Voltage Cable - 15kv  22-26 weeks
Armored Cables 22-26 weeks
Tray Cable 6-8 weeks
PVC In stock or up to 6 weeks

Featured Products

Explore our top picks of the month and discover how Southwire is powering progress, one connection at a time.

SPLIT BOX ROLLER, CLAMP-ON

Built for speed and durability, this clamp-on roller installs in seconds with no tools or loose parts. Its split-box design allows quick cable removal, while four integrated rollers ensure smooth, controlled pulls. A rugged die-cast aluminum frame delivers lasting strength and stability for demanding jobs.

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OPEN-TOP BOX ROLLER

Lightweight and strong, this open-top roller makes cable insertion and removal effortless—ideal for straight runs or vertical risers. Its die-cast aluminum frame offers durability without extra weight, and flexible mounting options ensure quick, versatile installation.

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DUCT ROLLER

This duct roller helps direct cable into ducts or conduit while minimizing scuffing on edges. Its rotating sheave reduces pulling tension and maintains conductor stability under load, ensuring smoother, more efficient cable installation.

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Wire and Cable Solutions

Learn about our latest projects, best practices, newest products, latest news and more.

Pound For Pound, Southwire’s SIMpull Reel Delivers
Pound For Pound, Southwire’s SIMpull Reel Delivers
Stop playing tug of war with your wire pulls and see how much easier it is to pull wire using Southwire’s SIMpull Reel.
Save Valuable Time With This Wire Pulling Cheat Code
Save Valuable Time With This Wire Pulling Cheat Code
Watch our side-by-side comparison of using pre-installed wire pulling heads vs. creating pulling heads in the field.
You Won’t Believe How Much Time Southwire’s SIMpull REEL Can Save
You Won’t Believe How Much Time Southwire’s SIMpull REEL Can Save
Watch our timelapse comparison of a traditional wire pulling setup vs. Southwire’s SIMpull reel to see how much time and effort you can save, and check out the benefits of the SIMreel below.
Jobsite Hack: Plan Quicker, Easier Wire Pulls With These Wire Pulling Calculators
Jobsite Hack: Plan Quicker, Easier Wire Pulls With These Wire Pulling Calculators
You don’t get paid to calculate wire pulls. You get paid to complete them. Learn how Southwire’s free wire pull calculating tools help you save time planning projects, so you can get to payday sooner.
On the Job with Knobelsdorff Electric: Contractor Maximizes Efficiency with Wire Pulling Solutions
On the Job with Knobelsdorff Electric: Contractor Maximizes Efficiency with Wire Pulling Solutions
Go On the Job with Knobelsdorff Electric to see how they were able to execute a more efficient wire pull by partnering with Van Meter.
What you don't know about Southwire's XD1 Wire Puller
What you don't know about Southwire's XD1 Wire Puller
Watch Adam Bayliss, Contractor Services Specialist, show you how the XD1 wire puller can pull light feeder cable with a 9/16” SIMpull rope.
Compare four methods of ordering circuit wire
Compare four methods of ordering circuit wire
Do you know your options when ordering circuit wire from Van Meter? Watch Adam Bayliss, Contractor Services Specialist, show you four different options for ordering circuit wire, and compare each.
Tape Talk: What Type Of Electrical Tape Do I Need?
Tape Talk: What Type Of Electrical Tape Do I Need?
Duct tape fixes everything, right? Well, electrical contractors know that it’s a little more complicated than that. If you apply the wrong electrical tape in the wrong environment to the wrong application, it can jeopardize the durability and safety of your project. To help you avoid any sticky situations, use this tool to find the right type of electrical tape for your application.
Combine two wire pulling ropes with this simple solution
Combine two wire pulling ropes with this simple solution
If you need a thousand feet of wire pulling rope for your pull, you’ll need a thousand-foot pulling rope, right? Well, not when you use Southwire’s QWIKrope soft shackles to connect two wire pull ropes together. The ability to combine (or separate) wire pulling ropes into a longer rope with the soft shackles gives you more flexibility in the field and reduces the variety of ropes you need on hand. Watch Adam show you how to combine two wire pulling ropes with soft shackles, or check out the guide below.

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