Primary Nonferrous Metals: A Cost Scenario With an Explicit Pass-Through Assumption

Source identity correction: this page previously described copper and brass mill shapes. The stored BLS series is WPU1022, Primary Nonferrous Metals, covering the broad primary nonferrous metals commodity group. The historical readings and page address are preserved; the earlier narrower product interpretation was incorrect.

Primary Nonferrous Metals stands at 544.73 index (1982=100) in the latest archived observation, Aug 2026, up about 49.3% from a year ago. These are index points with a 1982=100 base, not dollars per pound or per tonne.

The observation and the assumption are different inputs

The observed series is WPU1022, up about 49.3% from a year ago. Applying its percentage change to a component requires an additional assumption about which share of that component's price follows the index. This series does not establish pass-through for a vehicle panel, electrical winding, tube, extrusion or any other specific product. Use a matched transaction series or an agreed contract formula to justify that share.

Primary Nonferrous Metals, Aug 2026: 544.73. WPU1022; broad producer price index, 1982=100.

An illustrative calculation

Assume a $100,000 budget, a 50% index-linked share and a hypothetical 10% increase in the selected benchmark. The modeled change is $100,000 × 50% × 10% = $5,000, making the scenario total $105,000. These are chosen example inputs, not measured pass-through or a forecast. Replace the assumptions with your own documented contract and pricing terms before using the result.

Check the scope of any comparison

Use this series as broad producer-price context. It does not isolate aluminum, copper, brass, an alloy, a finished component or your supplier's invoice. A movement in the aggregate cannot identify which metal moved or separate raw-material, energy, labor and fabrication contributions. For a product-specific decision, obtain the corresponding product series and supplier pricing on the same units and dates.

Use your actual material price, quantity and an explicit change assumption to estimate cost sensitivity. Model a documented price scenario