Nvidia Without Huang: What a Pause in AI Deals Means for Metals
Copper slid to its lowest in almost four months on Friday and was heading for a fifth straight weekly loss, with traders blaming Nvidia’s (Nasdaq: NVDA) loss of Jensen Huang for the latest leg down. The exit is a convenient culprit, but the slide started before it. Copper has dropped every week since mid-October, and Goldman Sachs called the correction a matter of positioning in AI-linked stocks,…
Copper prices have plummeted to their lowest level in nearly four months, with traders pointing to Nvidia's recent loss of CEO Jensen Huang as the main culprit. However, analysts believe the decline began earlier, driven by positioning in AI-linked stocks, according to Goldman Sachs. Copper prices have fallen each week since mid-October, reaching $13,519 a metric ton on the London Metal Exchange, its weakest since July 17.
Panmure Liberum analyst Tom Price noted that every time AI experiences a setback, copper demand and prices suffer. Nvidia announced Huang's resignation as president, CEO, and director, effective immediately, with CFO Colette Kress acting as interim CEO. Harvey Jones will become the board's first chair. Shares of Nvidia fell 4.3% on Thursday and an additional 2% on Friday.
JPMorgan analysts do not assume existing commitments change, but new deals could take longer or cost more. The copper market's connection to Nvidia's funding for AI developers and neoclouds is highlighted, with UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri expecting a pause in financing for these sectors. While existing commitments may remain unchanged, new deals could be delayed or more expensive.
Physical buyers in China are showing surprising behavior, with the Yangshan copper premium reaching a record high and copper stocks in Shanghai Futures Exchange warehouses falling by 18.3%.
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