{
  "id": 7808368,
  "title": "Copper rises with signs of active demand from China",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/copper-rises-with-signs-of-active-demand-from-china",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:35:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439786/copper-rises-with-signs-of-active-demand-from-china"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Copper prices climbed on Wednesday due to indications of robust demand originating from China, the top consumer, despite traders exhibiting caution regarding potential fluctuations preceding the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. The three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange increased by 1.1% to $14,231 per metric ton in official open-outcry trading. This metal, utilized in power and construction, declined by 4% since reaching a record high of $14,875 the previous week, as the premium of the COMEX copper futures against London prices experienced a sharp reduction. Meanwhile, the Yangshan copper premium, a measure of Chinese demand for imported copper, surged 7% to $118 per ton, marking its highest level in nearly four years, on Wednesday. Chinese purchasers are leveraging the recent price decline to replenish their copper stocks, thereby elevating import premiums, stated David Wilson, head of metals strategy at BNP Paribas. The influx to U.S. Comex copper stocks decelerated after Reuters reported last week that the White House had not yet decided on refined copper tariffs, as officials evaluate apprehensions that higher prices might escalate manufacturing expenses. LME copper tightness has significantly eased, with spreads transitioning into contango, although this shift appeared to be driven primarily by sentiment rather than a substantial rise in available inventory, considering the ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs. In other LME metals, zinc prices ascended 0.3% to $3,835 in official activity, bolstered by tight inventories outside China, which maintain the premium of the LME cash contract over the three-month contract at $124 per ton. Aluminium rose by 1.1% to $3,288 due to apprehensions about the impact of the Iran conflict on supplies from Gulf producers. Aluminium Bahrain is currently producing aluminium at approximately 80% of pre-Iran war levels, according to its CEO. Nickel increased by 1.7% to $16,240, having reached $15,820, its lowest level since December 30, earlier in the day. Lead climbed by 0.8% to $1,888, while tin rose by 1.3% to $52,650.",
  "summary": "LONDON: Copper prices rose on Wednesday, supported by signs of active demand in top consumer China, though traders remained wary of potential volatility ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange gained 1.1% to $14,231 a metric ton in official open-outcry trading. The metal, used in power and construction, is down 4% since hitting a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}