Copper Holds Decline on Rate Hike Fears
2026-06-08 04:15
By
Jam Kaimo Samonte
1 min. read
Copper futures remained below $6.3 per pound on Monday after falling roughly 6% over the previous three sessions, pressured by robust US jobs data that strengthened expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate increase later this year.
Escalating tensions in the Middle East also added to market concerns after Iran launched missiles toward Israel, driving energy prices higher and raising fears of persistent inflation.
Higher inflation and tighter monetary policy could weigh on economic growth and curb demand for industrial metals such as copper.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration's June deadline to decide on potential new US import tariffs has encouraged additional copper shipments into the United States, tightening supply in other regions.
On the demand side, data showed copper inventories in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell to their lowest level of the year last week, pointing to resilient consumption and strong buying activity in China.