Copper Drops on Weak China Data
Copper futures fell to around $6.6 per pound on Monday, extending their retreat from record highs as softening economic data from top consumer China weighed on the demand outlook. Industrial profits in China increased 15.7% in the first eight months from a year earlier, slowing from a 17.6% rise during January-July as subdued domestic demand offset strength in high-tech and AI-related manufacturing. On a monthly basis, industrial profits rose just 4.2% in August year-on-year, marking the slowest growth since November 2025. Last week, copper prices surged to fresh records as supply disruptions and tariff concerns fueled the rally. Operations at BHP’s Escondida copper mine in Chile, the world’s largest, were suspended indefinitely after an accident killed a worker. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has yet to decide on imposing US tariffs on refined copper, leaving markets focused on the potential policy move.
6 per pound on Monday, extending their retreat from record highs as softening economic data from top consumer China weighed on the demand outlook. 6% rise during January-July as subdued domestic demand offset strength in high-tech and AI-related manufacturing. 2% in August year-on-year, marking the slowest growth since November 2025. Last week, copper prices surged to fresh records as supply disruptions and tariff concerns fueled the rally.
Operations at BHP’s Escondida copper mine in Chile, the world’s largest, were suspended indefinitely after an accident killed a worker. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has yet to decide on imposing US tariffs on refined copper, leaving markets focused on the potential policy move.