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Informist, Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

By Ashutosh Pati

MUMBAI – Futures contracts of copper rose on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India and the London Metal Exchange Wednesday on improved risk-sentiment amid hopes of fresh peace talks between the US and Iran, according to analysts. Market sentiment was also lifted due to a fall in copper inventories at warehouses registered with the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

The US and Iran have agreed in principle to extend the two-week ceasefire in the military conflict in West Asia to allow time for more diplomacy, The Associated Press reported Wednesday, quoting regional officials. The initial two-week period is scheduled to end Apr. 22. Moreover, US President Donald Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social that China is very happy that he is "permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz".

"Copper has extended its recovery, reversing conflict-driven losses on improved risk sentiment amid expectations of renewed US–Iran talks and softer oil prices," Kotak Securities said in a report. "Additional support from China, including stronger fabricator demand and inventory drawdowns, signals improving near-term consumption," the brokerage added.

Copper stocks at warehouses registered with the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell by 34,604 tonnes on week to 266,484 tonnes in the week ended Friday. Zinc inventories fell by 2,456 tonnes to 144,927 tonnes while lead inventories rose by 1,335 tonnes to 56,511 tonnes. Aluminium stocks rose by 4,224 tonnes to 474,332 tonnes in the week ended Friday.

"Overall, the (metals) complex reflects improving demand signals but remains sensitive to geopolitical developments, with zinc supported by tighter supply conditions," Kotak Securities said.

At 1718 IST, on the MCX, the April futures contract of:

--Aluminium was at INR 366.40 a kg, down 0.1%
--COPPER was at INR 1,275.45 a kg, up 0.5%
–-LEAD was at INR 195.10 a kg, up 0.1%
–-ZINC was at INR 337.55 a kg, up 0.7%

The May futures contract of NICKEL was at INR 1,736.00 a kg, up 2%

Trading levels for the day on the MCX:
--Aluminium contract seen at INR 356.30-INR 375.20

--Copper contract seen at INR 1,239.00-INR 1,311.30
--Lead contract seen at INR 192.60-INR 198.00

--Zinc contract seen at INR 330.40-INR 342.40

--Nickel contract seen at INR 1,670.00-INR 1,800.00

End

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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