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Copper losses deepen on investor worries of potential downturn

Copper costs extended losses on Tuesday as speculators remained cynical about global growth and weak demand in China, while zinc plunged after a jump in inventories highlighted oversupply.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange ( LME) relieved by 0.2% to $8,872 a metric load by 1400 GMT after dropping 1.8% on Monday and touching a 4-1/2- month low.

LME copper has actually shed 21% from a record high of more than $ 11,100 in May.

Wall Street's primary indexes rose in volatile trading on Tuesday after plunging a day earlier, however metals markets remained cautious.

There seems to be a little bit of steadiness overnight, but I. think the marketplace is still pretty afraid of a big slowdown, no. growth, and we have not really seen need in China, stated Robert. Montefusco at Sucden Financial.

There's been a great deal of desertion of long positions, a lot. of CTA selling, funds and specifications selling, he added, describing. Product Trade Advisor (CTA) mutual fund that are mainly. driven by computer programs.

The most-traded September copper agreement on the Shanghai. Futures Exchange toppled to its lowest since March 13,. closing 3% down at 70,850 yuan.

Though weak U.S. data last week sustained fret about a. potential recession, expected rate of interest cuts might supply. support.

Another bright spot is that the premium to import copper. into China << SMM-CUYP-CN > increased to $48 a lot on Monday, its. greatest because March 18.

Zinc was the most significant faller on the LME, pulling away. 1.3% to $2,599.50 a lot after LME data on Tuesday showed that. stocks rose by 8% to 247,825 heaps. Inventories have more. than tripled over the previous nine months << MZNSTX-TOTAL >.

LME zinc is also the worst entertainer on the LME over the. previous month, with a 14% decline.

Analysts anticipate a zinc market surplus of 19,000 loads this. year, leaping to 229,800 lots in 2025, according to an agreement. forecast in a Reuters poll.

Lead rebounded 1.2% to $1,954 a lot after toppling. 4.6% in the previous session. The improved arbitrage window. offered some assistance to today's lead rate, broker Marex said. in a note.

To name a few metals, LME aluminium acquired 0.8% to. $ 2,267.50 a lot, tin rose 0.6% to $29,655 while nickel. slipped 0.5% to $16,200.

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(source: Reuters)