Copper Jumps as Chinese Markets Reopen

2026-10-08 03:57 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

Copper futures climbed toward $6.7 per pound on Thursday, extending gains for the week as Chinese traders returned from a week-long holiday in a more optimistic mood.

Strong earnings from South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics also boosted market sentiment, signaling solid spending on the global AI infrastructure buildout, which could support copper demand.

On the supply side, Chilean production faced potential disruptions after two unions at Antofagasta’s Centinela project began industrial action on Wednesday and warned that the strike could start affecting output within roughly two weeks.

Chile recently reported that copper production fell in August to its lowest level since February 2011.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has yet to decide whether to impose potential tariffs on refined copper.

Earlier threats of US duties on refined metals prompted traders to redirect shipments toward American warehouses, contributing to the recent surge in copper prices.



News Stream
Copper Jumps as Chinese Markets Reopen
Copper futures climbed toward $6.7 per pound on Thursday, extending gains for the week as Chinese traders returned from a week-long holiday in a more optimistic mood. Strong earnings from South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics also boosted market sentiment, signaling solid spending on the global AI infrastructure buildout, which could support copper demand. On the supply side, Chilean production faced potential disruptions after two unions at Antofagasta’s Centinela project began industrial action on Wednesday and warned that the strike could start affecting output within roughly two weeks. Chile recently reported that copper production fell in August to its lowest level since February 2011. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has yet to decide whether to impose potential tariffs on refined copper. Earlier threats of US duties on refined metals prompted traders to redirect shipments toward American warehouses, contributing to the recent surge in copper prices.
2026-10-08
Copper Gains on Risk-On Mood
Copper futures rose toward $6.6 per pound, hovering near one-week highs amid a rally in risk assets, highlighted by gains in technology and artificial intelligence stocks. Demand for copper is benefiting from the rapid expansion of data centers and power infrastructure required to support AI development. Still, the near-term demand outlook remains constrained by signs of weakening industrial activity in China, the world’s largest consumer of the metal. On the supply side, Chilean copper output dropped in August to its lowest level since February 2011, while workers at Antofagasta’s Centinela mine voted in favor of strike action after wage negotiations failed to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has yet to decide on potential tariffs targeting refined copper. Earlier threats of US duties on refined metals encouraged traders to divert shipments toward American warehouses, contributing to the recent surge in copper prices.
2026-10-06
Copper Rises as Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease
Copper futures climbed above $6.5 per pound on Monday, recovering some of last week’s losses as weaker-than-expected US jobs data reduced pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates further. Higher interest rates would generally weigh on non-yielding assets such as commodities. Longer-term demand expectations tied to the global expansion of data centers and renewable energy also supported copper, although the near-term outlook remained pressured by signs of slowing industrial activity in top consumer China. On the supply side, Chilean production fell in August to its lowest level since February 2011, while workers at Antofagasta’s Centinela mine voted to strike after wage negotiations broke down. Elsewhere, the Trump administration has so far delayed a decision on tariffs for refined copper. Earlier threats of US tariffs on refined metals prompted traders to redirect shipments into American warehouses, helping drive a rally in copper prices.
2026-10-05