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Copper firms on possible US rate cuts after jobs data

Copper costs edged higher on Friday, supported by growing expectations of U.S. rate of interest cuts and slightly firmer physical need in China, though investors stayed mindful in the middle of drab financial data.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.3% at $9,082 a metric ton by 1605 GMT, steadying after Thursday's 1.9% decline.

U.S. Comex copper futures gained 0.5% to $4.10 a pound.

On the macro front it's a blended photo. The alleviating position from the Fed is favorable, however U.S. and Chinese information have been quite weak, said Amelia Xiao Fu, head of commodity market method at Bank of China International.

U.S. jobs information missed out on expectations on Friday, spurring traders to wager that the Federal Reserve will start alleviating policy in September with a huge half-percentage-point interest rate cut.

The weak information knocked the dollar lower, supporting copper by making commodities priced in the U.S. currency less pricey for purchasers using other currencies.

While current factory information from leading metals customer China has been weak, there has been proof of some restored physical purchasing in China. The Yangshan copper premium << SMM-CUYP-CN > rose to a more than three-month peak this week, signalling import cravings.

Downstream customers have been drawn in by lower prices after copper shed 18% considering that its record peak of more than $11,000. a ton in May, stated product markets strategist Fu.

You have this buying-on-dip need, but arguably not too. strong, provided the weak macro data. Demand is most likely not strong. enough to press rates materially higher.

The most traded September copper agreement on the Shanghai. Futures Exchange (SHFE) lost 1.7% to 73,700 yuan. ($ 10,211.57) a lot.

In another a little bullish indication, SHFE deliverable copper. inventories decreased 2% on Friday, however they were still not far. from the greatest level in 4 years.

Market individuals expect a demand pickup in China starting. in September, a time of seasonally strong intake.

In other metals, LME aluminium eased 1.4% to. $ 2,263.50 a load, zinc shed 1.7% to $2,661, lead. dropped 1.8% to $2,025, while tin increased 0.9% to $30,170. and nickel included 0.1% to $16,290.

For the top stories in metals, click. ($ 1 = 7.2173 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(source: Reuters)