The Catalyst Sending Copper Higher? Copper futures prices rallied by more than 4% in the last week’s trade, and the metal is now approaching the year-to-date breakeven level. The question is: What is behind this rally?
Recent catalysts:
CPI and PPI came in well above estimates last week, sending interest rate yields higher. Industrial production numbers for the month of January contracted by -0.1% vs +0.1% expected. One would expect that both catalysts would have been negative for the industrial metal.
However, interesting developments in the manufacturing sector showed strength, especially the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, which showed improving conditions for the first time since August 2023. PPI for the month of January was equally surprising, showing producer prices increased more than estimates.
Core PPI came in at +0.5% vs. +0.1% expected. A notable finding from the PPI report was that the final demand for construction, both government and private, was positive. This suggests a potential trough in construction, typically bullish for industrial metals such as copper.
Technicals:
Copper is currently trading between a wedge, and the recent break and close above the 50 and 200 Day EMAs suggest that we will likely retest the high end of the wedge. Breaking and closing above 3.95 would confirm an upside breakout.
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