Copper extended a powerful rally after bursting through $13,000 a ton for the first time, as investors bet on a tighter market and a risk-on mood took hold in broader financial markets. Three-month futures surged as much as 3.1% to a record $13,387.50 a ton in London on Tuesday, surpassing a peak set on Monday. Expectations that the Trump administration may introduce a tariff on refined metal have drawn huge volumes of inventory into the US, potentially leaving the rest of the world short as miners strugg ...

January 5, 2026 07:20 PM GMT metal&ROCK | Europe Metals On The Rise We reiterate our positive outlook for metals markets in 2026, driven by rate cuts and demand for real assets. Geopolitical events bring upside risks to precious metals, while China's export license requirements may support silver. In base metals, we prefer aluminium and copper. Key Takeaways A strong outlook for 2026: As we outlined in 1Q26: Upside Ahead, we see a positive set up for metals for this year with rate cuts and investor demand f ...

Group 1: Federal Reserve Leadership and Rate Trajectory - The upcoming change in Fed chair leadership in 2026 is significant for the rate trajectory and overall macroeconomic environment [1][2][3] - A dovish Fed chair may lead to potential rate cuts, but it is unlikely that rates will drop to 1% or 2% [2][4] - The new Fed chair's ability to influence the committee's stance on rates is crucial, as they only have one vote and need committee support for major changes [3][4] Group 2: Inflation Concerns and Economic Data - Inflation has taken a backseat recently, but its potential resurgence in 2026 remains uncertain [5][6] - Current inflation data may be distorted, complicating predictions for future inflation trends [7][8] - The impact of tariffs on inflation is still unclear, with opinions divided on whether they will have a lasting effect [14] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Economic Indicators - The oil and gas market shows signs of flagging inflation, while precious metals are reaching record highs, indicating mixed signals in the economy [11][12] - The Fed's balance sheet expansion is not intended to be stimulative but may have stimulative effects on the economy [13] - Lower interest rates could benefit housing and reduce the interest burden on U.S. Treasury debt, positively impacting the real economy [22][25]

The year is ending where it arguably began for investors: serving up surprises. Nothing comparable to the market crash in the immediate aftermath of April's "Liberation Day," but still surprises. Gold prices hit another record on Wednesday and are up a sparkly 70% this year. Gold has seen 51 record highs this year. Copper prices have also hit another record. The metal is up 30% this year. Sure is a lot of copper in those AI data centers! And how could one not mention the S&P 500 (^GSPC), which is at a ...

Group 1: Overall Market Conditions - Overseas, Fed official Milan said there's no short - term recession, but rising unemployment may prompt the Fed to turn dovish and cut rates. The market risk appetite is good, with tech stocks driving the US stocks up, the US Treasury yield rising to 4.16%, and the US dollar index dropping to 98.2. Japanese officials signaled possible foreign exchange intervention, strengthening the yen. Geopolitical issues pushed up oil prices. Risk assets are supported by sentiment and liquidity in the short - term, but caution is needed due to approaching holidays [2] - In China, the LPR has remained unchanged for seven consecutive months. The 5 - year LPR in December is 3.5%, and the 1 - year is 3%. The probability of a rate cut or reserve requirement ratio cut this year is low, with the next possible rate cut expected early next year. A - shares rose on Monday, with the ChiNext and STAR Market rebounding over 2%. Over 2900 stocks closed up, and the trading volume expanded to 1.88 trillion. The market may maintain a wide - range weak - oscillating pattern in the short - term. The bond market readjusted, lacking a clear direction [3] Group 2: Precious Metals - International precious metal futures continued to rise strongly on Monday. COMEX gold futures rose 2.13% to $4480.60 per ounce, and COMEX silver futures rose 2.37% to $69.09 per ounce. Domestic platinum and palladium futures hit the daily limit, and the overseas platinum price reached a new high. The rise is due to the resonance of macro, fundamental, and capital factors. The weakening of the US dollar credit supports gold in the long - term. Silver's strategic position in green energy and high - end manufacturing attracts funds, and platinum and palladium face supply shortages and strong industrial demand [4][5] Group 3: Copper - The Shanghai copper main contract continued to rise on Monday, and LME copper approached $12000. The spot market trading was poor, with domestic trade copper at a discount of 195 yuan/ton. The LME inventory decreased to 15.7 million tons, and the COMEX inventory increased to 46.7 million tons. Fed official Milan maintained a dovish stance, and Trump will announce a new Fed chair in early January, likely to be more dovish. The global mine supply is tight, and the long - term TC benchmark price is 0 dollars/ton. The copper price is expected to remain strong in the short - term [6][7] Group 4: Aluminum - The Shanghai aluminum main contract closed at 2220 yuan/ton on Monday, up 0.82%. The LME closed at $2941 per ton, down 0.49%. The electrolytic aluminum ingot inventory increased by 2.2 million tons to 60 million tons on December 22. The Fed's expected rate cut next year is fermenting, and the LME aluminum reached a new high this year. The domestic aluminum price is expected to oscillate at a high level in the short - term due to the fluctuating inventory [8] Group 5: Alumina - The alumina futures main contract closed at 2508 yuan/ton on Monday, down 1.18%. The spot alumina national average price was 2751 yuan/ton, down 7 yuan/ton. The supply is expected to remain sufficient in the short - term, and the alumina price will continue to be under pressure [9] Group 6: Cast Aluminum - The cast aluminum alloy futures main contract closed at 21290 yuan/ton on Monday, up 0.66%. The raw material scrap aluminum supply is tight, and the cost support is strong. The supply decreased slightly due to environmental protection and cost - profit factors. The consumption is stable, and the cast aluminum price is expected to oscillate at a high level [10] Group 7: Zinc - The Shanghai zinc main contract oscillated narrowly on Monday. The social inventory increased to 12.45 million tons. The 11 - month zinc concentrate imports increased by 13.84% year - on - year and 52.27% month - on - month. The overall zinc price is expected to oscillate due to mixed Fed officials' views, changes in imports and exports, and consumption and supply factors [11][12] Group 8: Lead - The Shanghai lead main contract oscillated weakly on Monday. The social inventory decreased to 2.02 million tons. Near the end of the year, the supply and demand of the lead industry are both weak. The lead price is expected to maintain a weak and stable oscillation [13][14] Group 9: Tin - The Shanghai tin main contract oscillated narrowly on Monday. The 11 - month tin concentrate imports increased significantly, especially from Myanmar. The supply is expected to improve, and the tin price has a high - level adjustment risk [15][16] Group 10: Industrial Silicon - The industrial silicon oscillated on Monday. The supply in Xinjiang is at a relatively high level, while that in the southwest is weak. The demand is mainly for historical orders. The industrial silicon price is expected to oscillate narrowly [17][18] Group 11: Steel Products - Steel futures oscillated and rebounded on Monday. The five major steel products' production and apparent demand adjusted slightly, and the inventory continued to decline. The steel price is expected to oscillate mainly, and attention should be paid to the acceptance of the price rebound [19] Group 12: Iron Ore - Iron ore futures oscillated and adjusted on Monday. The overseas shipment and arrival volume decreased this week, and the port inventory continued to accumulate. The demand is weak due to steel mills' production cuts and the off - season. The iron ore price is expected to oscillate under pressure [20] Group 13: Coking Coal and Coke - Coking coal and coke futures oscillated on Monday. The third round of coke price cuts was implemented, reducing coking profits and weakening the procurement of raw coal. The coking coal supply is generally stable. The prices are expected to oscillate in the short - term [21] Group 14: Soybean and Rapeseed Meal - On Monday, the soybean meal 05 contract rose 0.18%, and the rapeseed meal 05 contract rose 0.56%. The US soybean export sales are still slow, and the domestic soybean and soybean meal inventories are high. The domestic rapeseed meal is expected to oscillate weakly in the short - term [22][23] Group 15: Palm Oil - The palm oil 05 contract rose 0.94% on Monday. The Malaysian palm oil production decreased, and the export demand improved. The domestic palm oil inventory increased slightly. The palm oil price is expected to stop falling and enter an oscillating state in the short - term [24][25]

16 December 2025 | 4:11PM HKT Equity Research CHINA BASIC MATERIALS MONITOR December 2025: signs of bottoming in bulk, while high metal prices not destructive Summary: End-user orderbooks trend was mostly inline with past seasonality as of mid of December, with appliances, solar, selected construction and machinery on the weaker end. On commodities, demand for copper and paper packaging was weaker, while others mostly on track. Responses of end users to the rising copper and aluminum prices can be seen in t ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint highlights a significant split in the commodities market, with crude oil prices plummeting while precious metals and copper experience substantial gains [1][3] - WTI crude oil fell by 1.47%, closing at $57.6 per barrel, marking the lowest level since October, while silver surged by 3.8% to surpass $64 per ounce, reaching a historical high [3] - Gold increased by 0.9% to $4268, and copper prices soared by 2.7% to $11872 per ton, setting a new record [3] Group 2 - The underlying logic suggests that the Federal Reserve's three consecutive interest rate cuts and a $500 billion expansion of the balance sheet have directly fueled the rise in precious and base metals [4] - The surge in copper prices is attributed to an upward revision of the U.S. GDP forecast for 2026 to 2.3%, indicating a clear signal of economic improvement [4] - In contrast, crude oil is being weighed down by oversupply, with the IEA predicting a surplus of 3.815 million barrels per day in 2026, negating any benefits from geopolitical conflicts [4] Group 3 - The article raises questions about the sustainability of silver at $64, the potential for copper to continue reaching new highs, and whether the drop in crude oil to $57 represents a buying opportunity or a trap [4] - Long-term investment strategies suggest accumulating precious metals on dips, closely monitoring demand for base metals, and waiting for signals of a supply-demand reversal in crude oil [4]

Group 1 - The article provides a market analysis covering key commodities including Gold Spot, Silver Spot, Copper Futures, and Crude Oil WTI Futures [1] Group 2 - The analysis highlights the current trends and price movements in the commodities market, indicating potential investment opportunities [1]

Summary of China Basic Materials Monitor (November 2025) Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Basic Materials** industry, highlighting signs of **weaker demand** across various sectors, including white goods, renewables, and construction, which are experiencing a sequential deterioration beyond seasonal factors [1][1][1]. - **Infrastructure** projects are at multi-year low start rates due to funding challenges from local governments [1][1][1]. - The **automotive sector** remains robust currently, but concerns are emerging for the first quarter of 2026 [1][1][1]. - **Energy Storage System (ESS) batteries** are seeing accelerated growth, with positive expectations for 2026 based on producer feedback [1][1][1]. Demand Trends - Current demand in China is reported to be **7-12% lower year-on-year** for cement and construction steel, and **5-10% lower** for flat steel, copper, and aluminum [1][1][1]. - Finished goods inventory has increased, primarily due to metal fabrications and selected appliances and machinery [1][1][1]. - The **forward orderbook trend** is mostly stable month-on-month, with **61%** of respondents indicating an increase in downstream sectors and **35%** in basic materials for November [2][2][2]. Supply Dynamics - On the supply side, there is excess production and safety inspections leading to a contraction in output in key coal-producing regions [1][1][1]. - Incremental changes in cement and steel production have been limited [1][1][1]. - Recent weeks have seen improvements in margins/pricing for coal, aluminum, copper, and lithium, while steel prices have softened and cement prices remain stable [1][1][1]. Key Statistics - The report indicates a **deceleration in demand** due to high commodity prices and the diminishing momentum from trade-in programs [1][1][1]. - The **current demand** metrics reflect a significant decline across various materials, indicating potential risks for investors in the basic materials sector [1][1][1]. Conclusion - The China Basic Materials industry is facing challenges with weaker demand across multiple sectors, particularly in construction and infrastructure, while some segments like automotive and ESS batteries show resilience. The supply side is also adjusting to these demand changes, with implications for pricing and production strategies moving forward.

Mergers and Acquisitions - Teck Resources engaged in intermittent discussions regarding a potential merger with Vale's base metals unit [1] - These discussions occurred prior to Teck Resources' agreement to merge with Anglo American [1]