Copper at highest since 2012 as global equities extend gains

Prices have soared on optimism that the use of coronavirus vaccines will aid a rebound in global growth. Prices climbed 5.3% last week on the London Metal Exchange, in the biggest gain since July. Monday’s gain came as Asian equities hit new heights and the dollar slipped, boosting the buying power of consumers using other currencies.

The metal used in pipes and wires inched higher even as public holidays in China and the US contributed to thin trading conditions. While new Covid-19 variants are threatening to temper the outlook, investors are banking on US government spending and the coronavirus vaccine rollout to boost the economic recovery.

“There’s a risk-on mood across the whole market, whether it be oil, equities or metals,” Colin Hamilton, MD for commodities research at BMO Capital Markets, said by phone from London. “It’s one of those markets where even bad news is good news.”

LME prices have rallied strongly during the closure of Chinese markets for the Lunar New Year holidays, and investors expect that the usual dip in factory output over the period may be less severe this year owing to restrictions on travel.

US markets are shut for Presidents’ Day on Monday, while exchanges in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are also closed. Chinese markets will reopen on Thursday.

Production guidance from the top 25 copper producers indicates the market may be in a sizable deficit this year, “assuming our scenario of 5% demand growth is in the ballpark,” according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Grant Sporre and Andrew Cosgrove. Copper’s on course in February to post an 11th monthly gain.

Copper is “being driven by a cocktail of positive factors -- including rising inflation expectations caused by US stimulus, a falling dollar, and historically low stocks,” said Gavin Wendt, a senior resource analyst at MineLife Pty. “The 2021 copper production outlook is likely to be negatively impacted as a result of Covid in a number of major South American producing nations.”

Copper climbed as much as 0.9% to $8,406 a ton on the London Metal Exchange, the highest level since 2012, before paring gains to trade at $8 377 at 12:24 p.m. in London. Other metals were mixed, tin rose 1.4% after posting an unprecedented 15th weekly rise last week, while aluminum slipped.