Copper on pace for best year since 2009 as AI demand, supply fears fuel record price rally

Core Viewpoint - Copper is experiencing its largest annual price increase in over a decade, influenced by supply disruptions, a weakening U.S. dollar, positive expectations for Chinese economic growth, and significant investments in artificial intelligence [1] Group 1: Price Trends - Three-month copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) increased by 1.5% to $12,405 per metric ton, following a record high of $12,960 [2] - The benchmark copper contract has risen approximately 41% this year, marking its best performance since 2009, when it gained over 140% [3] - In New York, copper prices have surged more than 40% since the beginning of 2025, positioning it for its largest annual increase since 2009, when the contract rose 137.3% [3] Group 2: Demand Drivers - Copper demand is viewed as an indicator of economic health and is essential for the energy transition, electric vehicle manufacturing, power grids, and wind turbines [4] - The electrification process, grid expansion, and the construction of data centers require substantial amounts of copper for wiring, power transmission, and cooling systems [4]