Lead scrap prices were broadly stable in the week of October 16-22, 2026, according to ScrapMonster's weekly market report, which tracks week-on-week price movements on the Scrap Monster Price Index. The publication said the lead scrap market remained broadly steady during the week, with prices unchanged across all major regional markets. Scrap auto battery prices showed no movement and ended the week at levels unchanged from the previous week, according to the report.
On the futures side, ScrapMonster reports that COMEX Lead Futures rose USD 21.45 per ton (up 1.14%) over the prior week to close at USD 1,904.43 per ton as of October 22, 2026. The same report cites the closing price of the LME Lead 3-month contract at $1,897.50 per metric tonne, based on London Metal Exchange data. The two figures are quoted in different units in the source (per ton for COMEX, per metric tonne for LME).
They have not been converted here and should not be compared directly without adjustment. ScrapMonster attributes the COMEX figure to a contract labelled 'COMEX Lead Futures'; the exchange and contract specification should be confirmed against primary settlement data before the figure is used as a reference. In North America, ScrapMonster reports that scrap auto battery prices recorded no change on the East Coast, in the Midwest and on the West Coast as of Thursday, October 22, 2026.
In China, the report says auto battery prices held steady week-on-week, while Soft Lead and #2 Lead scrap prices recorded slight increases of 0.37% and 0.38%, respectively. In India, ScrapMonster reports that lead ingot scrap prices rose by INR 1,000 per ton (up 0.52%) over the week. The report's market-driver commentary, attributed to ScrapMonster, links lead scrap demand to automotive replacement batteries, industrial backup-power systems and secondary lead smelting activity.
According to ScrapMonster, stable battery replacement requirements can support collection and recycling, while changes in exchange prices, smelter purchasing and scrap availability influence regional price movements. In its account of this week's lead market, ScrapMonster attributes the stability in prices to balanced supply and demand conditions. The weekly report covers several other metals and shows a different pattern.
ScrapMonster notes that steel scrap prices recorded the strongest upward move of the week, while zinc scrap prices declined across key regions. Copper scrap prices also fell, according to the same source. ScrapMonster's watchlist for the coming week includes the US Federal Reserve interest rate decision and press conference, as well as the ECB monetary policy and interest rate decision.
The report does not include a lead-specific price forecast; its market outlook section covers ferrous scrap grades only. Source: ScrapMonster, 'Scrap Metal Prices: Weekly Market Report - October 16-22, 2026', published October 23, 2026, based on the Scrap Monster Price Index and London Metal Exchange data as cited in the report.
Source: scrapmonster.com