Copper premiums soften on demand decline

Dec 11, 2006 | 08:01 AM | Sean Barry

U.S. copper premiums have softened as spot demand for metal dries up and warehouse stocks rise.

A dearth of business activity comes as consumers report weak order books following a slowdown in the residential construction and automotive industries and pressure mounts to run down inventory ahead of the end of the year.

The copper premium spread has widened with the bottom end of the range moving down 0.5 cent a pound to take the spread to 5 to 6 cents a pound delivered to most U.S. destinations.

"There's no one buying copper at the moment. Everyone is covered for December and January," one trader said, adding that premiums were still being buoyed by high freight costs.....





Latest Pricing Trends

Poll

What is causing the most weakness to the U.S. metals industry?

Imports
Stagnant non-residential construction demand
Sequestration and government cuts
Global uncertainty, particularly in Europe
Too many suppliers chasing too few orders


View previous results

AMM Events