Summary of Conference Call on Copper Market Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the copper market, highlighting the current supply-demand dynamics and price movements in 2025 [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Supply Tightness and Price Increase** Since mid to late May, global copper inventories have decreased year-on-year compared to 2024, indicating a supply tightness that has driven copper prices up. By early July, copper prices surpassed $10,000, primarily driven by actual demand rather than macro funds [1][2]. 2. **Domestic Inventory Trends** As of July 21, domestic copper inventories unexpectedly decreased by 24,700 tons, with good operating rates for refined copper and copper rods. This trend suggests that the domestic inventory has reached a turning point [1][3]. 3. **LME and COMEX Inventory Changes** LME copper inventories rose from a low of 90,000 tons to approximately 125,000 tons, showing signs of peaking around July 23-24. In contrast, COMEX inventories accumulated due to high copper prices suppressing demand, with U.S. demand expected to drop by 200,000 tons due to tariffs [1][4]. 4. **Catalysts for the Second Half of 2025** Several factors are expected to catalyze the copper market in the second half of 2025, including anticipated interest rate cuts, the traditional peak season, and potential production cuts from smelters. These factors are likely to encourage macro funds or investment funds to increase their positions, further driving up copper prices [1][5]. 5. **External Demand and Electricity Equipment Imports** The import growth rate for electrical equipment is projected to be 20% year-on-year in 2025, indicating strong external demand. Electrical equipment accounts for 70% of export demand, with U.S. and European imports also expected to grow by about 20% [1][6]. 6. **Impact of Investment Fund Positions** As of July 18, LME investment fund positions fell below the levels seen in April 2025, with a five-year position percentile at 44%, indicating a bearish sentiment. However, strong actual demand is making it difficult for shorts to push prices down. If interest rate cuts materialize, along with seasonal demand and production cuts, investment fund positions are likely to increase, positively impacting prices [1][7]. Other Important Insights - The domestic actual copper demand, excluding exports, shows significant seasonal variations, remaining weak in the off-season but expected to be strong in the peak season. The overall market is anticipated to maintain a stable growth trajectory without significant fluctuations [1][3][6].