Global Commodities: Copper fireworks overshadow a looser-than-expected refined market in China

At Any Rate

LME copper prices have surged nearly 30% year-to-date, jumping above $11,000/mt this morning with COMEX prices in the US still trading at a significant premium to the global LME benchmark. The massive widening of the COMEX/LME copper arb over the last week is more about positioning and inventory tightness in the US specifically and not reflective of a tight broader global refined copper market just yet. We remain structurally medium-term bullish on copper prices over the next two years as constrained mine supply is not going to alleviate quickly but current price levels are running well ahead of global refined market fundamentals at the moment. China’s refined market appears loose as demand is being deferred and delayed amid high copper prices while refined supply has stayed strong. A temporary correction in copper prices could be healthy to kick start Chinese demand and lay the groundwork for another eventual push even higher.

Speaker: Gregory Shearer

This podcast was recorded on 20 May 2024.

This communication is provided for information purposes only. Institutional clients can view the related report at https://www.jpmm.com/research/content/GPS-4701703-0 for more information; please visit www.jpmm.com/research/disclosures for important disclosures.

© 2024 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. This material or any portion hereof may not be reprinted, sold or redistributed without the written consent of J.P. Morgan. It is strictly prohibited to use or share without prior written consent from J.P. Morgan any research material received from J.P. Morgan or an authorized third-party (“J.P. Morgan Data”) in any third-party artificial intelligence (“AI”) systems or models when such J.P. Morgan Data is accessible by a third-party. It is permissible to use J.P. Morgan Data for internal business purposes only in an AI system or model that protects the confidentiality of J.P. Morgan Data so as to prevent any and all access to or use of such J.P. Morgan Data by any third-party.