The copper market is exhibiting a trend unseen since 1994, creating a ripple effect on global trade and economies. The London Metals Exchange (LME) is witnessing an extreme contango in copper futures, largely attributed to China's weakening economy. This trend has been induced by falling spot prices, according to a report published on Tuesday.
Ewa Manthey from ING interprets the surge in global copper inventories as a sign of weakening demand. Concurrently, Dave Rosenberg from Rosenberg Research links it to China's economic conditions and potential global trade decline. These interpretations are supported by data from the World Trade Monitor.
Despite the historical reputation of copper as "Dr. Copper" for its ability to predict economic trends, recent research from Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) suggests a decrease in its sensitivity to GDP growth.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, copper prices for December delivery are trading as per FactSet data, further emphasizing the impact of these market shifts. The current copper market conditions point towards potential global reverberations due to China's economic slowdown, marking a critical shift in the commodity's role as an economic indicator.
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