Copper hit a 17-month low as slowdown fears mount

On Monday, copper prices hovered over a 17-month low as worries about the global economic slowdown intensified.

London three-month futures tied to the red metal skidded 2.77% to $8,029.00 per metric ton. This downturn came after the commodity held its lowest level since February 2021 at $7,955.00 on Friday.

At the same time, the most-traded August copper contract in Shanghai declined 1.90% to $9,166.78 per metric ton.

From the United States to the Eurozone, factory activity slowed to the levels seen during the initial wave of the coronavirus.

Then, the manufacturing activity in the United States sank more than expected in June. The new orders contracted for the first time in two years, citing signs that the economy cooled. This downturn came in despite the aggressive monetary policy tightening by the Federal Reserve.

Subsequently, Eurozone’s inflation pointed to a record-high as price pressures widened last month, weighing on copper prices. Analysts’ also cited that the peak could still be months away, cementing expectations for rapid European Central Bank rate hikes.

Moreover, the US dollar kept trade-sensitive currencies pinned near multi-year lows. For instance, the euro was under pressure as investors sought safety due to worries about slowing global growth.

Correspondingly, a strong greenback makes dollar-denominated metals, like copper, more expensive for other currency holders.

Chile’s tax reform targets copper royalties

Meanwhile, on Friday, Chile’s finance minister Mario Marcel announced a tax reform bill on the sector. The country remains the leading copper producer, accounting for an average of 472.14 thousand tonnes from 2011 until 2022.

The new legislation aims to increase copper mining royalties on companies that produce more than 50,000 tonnes a year. Thus, the state will eventually raise taxes on high-income earners.

Meanwhile, easter cities in top importer China tightened COVID-19 curbs on Sunday as coronavirus clusters emerged. This restriction posed a new threat to Beijing’s economic recovery under the government’s strict zero-COVID policy, pulling copper prices.