Goldman Sachs(US:GS) 美股IPO·2025-10-08 01:24Core Viewpoint - The demand for copper is undergoing a profound transformation from a cyclical indicator ("Dr. Copper") to a strategic asset ("Colonel Copper") that serves national security and strategic industries [1][9]. Group 1: Price Forecast and Market Dynamics - Goldman Sachs analysts predict that copper prices are resetting to a new range, with a solid bottom at $10,000 per ton due to structural supply constraints and strong demand in key sectors [3][5]. - The new trading range for copper prices is expected to be between $10,000 and $11,000 per ton starting in 2026, driven by limited supply, structural demand growth, and strategic reserves [5][6]. - Despite a slight oversupply in the market, a significant supply gap is not anticipated until the end of the decade (2029) [5][6]. Group 2: Supply Constraints - The $10,000 price floor is primarily supported by structural challenges in the supply side, including increased mining difficulty and rising capital expenditures [6][7]. - Global copper supply is projected to grow at an average annual rate of only 1.5% from 2025 to 2030 [6]. Group 3: Demand Dynamics - The core drivers of demand growth will be the electric grid and power infrastructure, contributing over 60% of the increase, fueled by the urgent needs of AI, defense, and energy security [11]. - Although strategic demand is strong, the overall growth rate of refined copper demand is expected to slow from 2.8% in 2025 to an average of 2.1% from 2026 to 2030 due to structural declines in the Chinese construction industry and substitution effects from aluminum [11]. Group 4: Strategic Reserves and Market Impact - Strategic reserves may play a crucial role in absorbing excess capacity in the current slightly oversupplied market, making copper an attractive reserve commodity [8][10]. - Potential strategic purchases by countries like China and the U.S. could absorb much of the anticipated excess, providing downward protection for prices [10].