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Informist, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

 

By Afra Abubacker

 

NEW DELHI – Futures contracts of copper rebounded sharply Tuesday on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India, rising nearly 5% and erasing Monday's losses. Prices had fallen on Monday as traders booked profits after copper hit a record high. Persistent concern over tight supply, a weak dollar, and sustained strong demand from energy transition and AI-driven infrastructure support the red metal prices. 

 

At 1756 IST, the January COPPER contract on MCX was up 4.8% at INR 1,291.90 per kilogram. On Monday, the contract had hit a record high of INR 1,392.95 per kg. Benchmark copper prices were up over 2% on LME and COMEX. Copper traded near record highs as prices rose following Monday's selloff, Dow Jones reported. The metal hit a series of records in recent weeks amid supply concern and firm industrial demand.

 

However, downstream demand remained muted at higher price levels. In addition, purchases were thin as most end-users completed pre-holiday stockpiling or shut operations for the New Year's Day, according to Shanghai Metals Market. "The market basically entered a holiday state today," it added. 

 

Meanwhile, surging investment in artificial intelligence data centers and expectations of further monetary policy easing in the US continued to support the industrial metal. Typically, lower borrowing costs boost construction and manufacturing activities, aiding demand for the metal. In addition, trade uncertainty and US tariff risks encouraged pre-emptive stockpiling, according to analysts. 

 

"Supply risks have intensified following the suspension of operations at Freeport's Grasberg mine and ongoing disruptions in Chile and Peru. With copper heading for its strongest annual performance since 2009 and demand from the energy transition remaining robust, near-term volatility is likely to persist," Kotak Securities said. 

 

In addition, sentiment improved amid supportive policy announcements in China. Beijing said it will tighten oversight of new copper and alumina projects from 2026-30 to curb irrational investment and disorderly expansion, and encourage consolidation among large firms to increase industry concentration and competitiveness.

 

At 1756 IST, on the MCX, the January futures contract of:
-–ALUMINIUM was at INR 296.00 a kg, up 1.5%
--Copper was at INR 1,291.90 a kg, up 4.8% 
–-LEAD was at INR 183.80 a kg, up 0.7%
–-ZINC was at INR 307.60 a kg, up 1.1%

--NICKEL was at INR 1,569.00 a kg, up 6.0%.

 

Trading levels for the day on the MCX:
--Aluminium contract seen at INR 288.25-INR 303.50

--Copper contract seen at INR 1,233.00-INR 1,364.00
--Lead contract seen at INR 182.50-INR 185.25

--Zinc contract seen at INR 303.40-INR 316.60

--Nickel contract seen at INR 1,540.00-INR 1,620.00

 

End

 

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

 

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