Zhong Guo Zheng Quan Bao·2026-02-03 20:27Core Viewpoint - Recent fluctuations in copper prices indicate a complex interplay between industrial and financial attributes, with short-term price movements influenced more by financial factors than by supply-demand fundamentals [1][2]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - Copper prices have recently experienced volatility, with a notable drop of over 9% to 98,500 yuan/ton on February 2, following a peak of 110,000 yuan/ton on January 30 [1]. - The domestic air conditioning industry consumes approximately 850,000 tons of copper annually, highlighting the metal's critical role in manufacturing [1][3]. - Major copper suppliers face limited short-term production increases, with declining ore grades impacting output, particularly in Chile's Mantoverde mine and Southern Copper [2]. Industry Performance - Despite rising copper prices, leading air conditioning companies have reported revenue growth. For instance, Midea Group achieved a revenue of 363.06 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 13.82% [3]. - Haier Smart Home reported a revenue of 234.05 billion yuan during the same period, with a net profit increase of 14.68% [4]. Risk Management Strategies - Companies are increasingly engaging in commodity hedging to mitigate the impact of raw material price fluctuations. Midea Group has initiated hedging activities to counteract raw material price volatility [4][5]. - Haier Smart Home plans to conduct hedging for copper, aluminum, and other raw materials, with a contract value not exceeding 5.46 billion yuan [6]. - Research indicates that appliance manufacturers can offset rising raw material costs through price increases, with a 3%-5% price hike potentially covering the impact of copper prices at 105,000 yuan/ton [6].