AI时代“新石油”价格高位震荡铜行业下游经营承压

Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in precious metal prices, particularly copper, has drawn global attention, with significant impacts on the supply chain and production dynamics in the industry [1][5][7]. Price Dynamics - LME three-month copper and Shanghai copper futures have reached historical highs, with COMEX copper prices also hitting record levels on July 24 [1]. - The copper market is experiencing high volatility, influenced by supply-demand dynamics, financial attributes, and external factors such as exchange rates and geopolitical issues [5][6]. Supply Chain Impact - Many copper smelting plants are facing raw material inventory depletion, leading to increased production cuts, with 18% of downstream small and medium enterprises reducing output [2][4]. - The processing fees for copper have been declining, with long-term processing fees expected to drop significantly, impacting the profitability of smelting companies [3][6]. Demand Trends - Demand for copper is being driven by sectors such as renewable energy, AI infrastructure, and electric vehicles, while traditional sectors like construction and manufacturing are experiencing sluggish growth [5][6][7]. - The transition to aluminum in various applications is accelerating due to rising copper costs, potentially reducing the long-term demand for copper [2][4]. Future Outlook - The copper market is expected to face a structural shortage in the medium to long term, with supply constraints from mining and smelting sectors, while demand from new technologies continues to grow [6][7][8]. - Analysts predict that copper prices may maintain a high level of volatility in the short term but are likely to trend upwards in the long term, potentially exceeding 90,000 yuan per ton by 2026 [7][8].