Copper price reaches high: Boom thanks to US economy and China!

Copper price reaches high: Boom thanks to US economy and China!

The price of copper reached a record high of $12,282 per ton on the London Metal Exchange (LME) on December 24, 2025. This represents the sixth straight trading day of gains as markets recover from a robust U.S. economy and a weaker dollar. The rise in copper prices is also due to strong demand from China, which has boosted the markets. At the same time, the price of copper also reached an all-time high on the Shanghai stock exchange crown reported.

Since the beginning of the year, copper has gained almost 39 percent and is heading for its best month since April 2024. The Yangshan premium, a premium over the LME price for copper imported into China, rose to $55 a tonne, reaching its highest level since September 24. Likewise, the US economy grew at its fastest rate in two years in the third quarter. The dollar, on the other hand, has its weakest annual balance since 2017, making metals more affordable for holders of other currencies.

Market factors and interest rate expectations

The US dollar fell slightly on Friday, but remains under pressure from concerns about slowing economic growth in the US. Markets await key consumer price inflation data next week, with analysts expecting core inflation to hit 0.3 percent. President Trump's appointment of Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve board also creates expectations of dovish monetary policy that could favor interest rate cuts. This could further fuel demand for copper as lower interest rates reduce risk for investors and support economically sensitive commodities, he said Economies.

Analysts point out that the US Federal Reserve has raised its growth forecast for 2024 to 2.3 percent, which could support the positive market development of copper. With the price of copper rising by almost 35 percent this year, its role as an indispensable industrial metal in the energy and technology transition is becoming particularly evident. Analogue demand is strongly influenced by the decarbonization and electrification of global infrastructure.

Future outlook for copper

The medium-term prospects for copper are promising as it is increasingly needed for the electrification of mobility, industry and renewable energy. China, as the largest copper consumer, shows a proactive fiscal policy that leads to infrastructure investments and thus maintains demand. Additionally, analysts expect copper prices to remain above $11,000 per ton in 2026 and could potentially reach $12,000 per ton, according to a report by Gold investment is to be read.

The current price dynamic development is heavily influenced by interest rates, economic data and political signals. For investors, copper remains a valuable indicator of industrial activity that is being closely monitored, while investment opportunities and challenges arise on the supply side due to long development times for new mines and declining ore grades.