供需缺口扩大将驱动铜价再攀高峰

Core Viewpoint - Copper prices are at historical highs, influenced by supply shortages and weak traditional demand, creating a complex market dynamic [1] Supply Analysis - The supply side is constrained by tight mining supply and pressured smelting profits, with a significant decline in new large copper mining projects since 2015 [2] - Major copper-producing countries like Chile and Peru have seen a notable decrease in ore grades over the past decade, limiting global copper concentrate supply growth [2] - By Q3 2025, global copper mine output is expected to drop by 4.7% year-on-year, with significant production declines from key mines such as Antamina in Peru (down 26%) and Kamoa-Kakula in the Democratic Republic of Congo (down 28%) [2] - The International Copper Study Group (ICSG) projects a supply-demand gap of 150,000 tons in 2025, which will widen to 300,000 tons in 2026 [2] Smelting and Processing Fees - Copper concentrate processing fees (TC) have hit a record low since 1992, with long-term TC at $21.25 per ton in 2025, a 73.4% decrease from 2024 [3] - The tight copper concentrate market indicates an oversupply of smelting capacity relative to ore supply, leading to potential production limitations for electrolytic copper if by-product prices decline [3] - In September and October 2025, China's electrolytic copper production fell by 4.31% and 2.62% month-on-month, respectively [3] Demand Analysis - Traditional demand sectors such as real estate and home appliances are underperforming, with a projected 1.67% year-on-year decline in copper consumption from the construction sector in 2025 [5] - The home appliance sector faces pressure from both domestic and export markets, with a slowdown in production growth observed since the second half of 2025 [5] - Conversely, the power and new energy sectors are providing strong support for copper demand, accounting for 40%-50% of total copper consumption [6] - Significant growth in renewable energy sectors, with solar and wind power installations and electric vehicle production increasing by 46.76%, 59.40%, and 34.98% year-on-year, respectively, is expected to sustain copper demand [6] Macroeconomic Factors - Copper prices are highly sensitive to interest rate expectations and global economic growth forecasts, with potential for further easing in U.S. monetary policy [7] - Market uncertainty regarding the pace of global economic recovery influences risk appetite, affecting copper price performance [7] - The current market is characterized by a tug-of-war between macroeconomic pricing and fundamental pricing, with supply constraints and stable demand from the power and new energy sectors supporting copper prices [7] - In the medium to long term, the widening supply-demand gap and potential for interest rate cuts may lead to copper prices breaking historical highs [7]