Copper price near 15-month high as supply fears spur bullish calls

Prices have climbed more than 15% the past two months after mine disruptions threatened refined-copper production at Chinese smelters, which account for more than half the world’s supply. At the same time, investors are betting on stronger consumption there as manufacturing picks up.

Used in power cables, wind turbines, electric vehicles and solar panels, copper is a key material for the energy transition.

“Copper’s second secular bull market this century is being driven by booming decarbonization-related demand growth,” Citigroup Inc. analysts wrote in a note. “Only higher prices will solve these deficits.”

Used in power cables, wind turbines, electric vehicles and solar panels, copper is a key material for the energy transition.

“Copper’s second secular bull market this century is being driven by booming decarbonization-related demand growth,” Citigroup Inc. analysts wrote in a note. “Only higher prices will solve these deficits.”

The metal traded little changed Tuesday at $9,419.50 a ton on the London Metal Exchange at 4:19 p.m. local time.

China’s factory activity beat expectations in March, the latest sign of an economic recovery in the world’s largest copper user. Data showing increased spending also suggests domestic consumption is gathering pace.

During the bull market of the 2000s, copper rose more than fivefold in three years, driven by urbanization and industrialization in China. Citigroup said there’s potential for “explosive price upside” again in the next three years.

There’s been a series of production setbacks at mines around the world, which has compounded concerns around a lack of fresh supply. The dearth of new projects is “finally starting to bite,” Bank of America Corp. strategists said. The bank expects copper to average $12,000 a ton by 2026.

Other base metals rose Tuesday, with zinc adding as much as 2.4% as Chinese smelters become the latest casualty of overcapacity in the country’s metals markets.