Copper Prices Plunge as China Frenzy Ebbs, LME Glitch Adds to Volatility

• Copper futures dropped almost 4% on the LME, falling to near $13,000 a ton after peaking above $14,500.
• The London Metal Exchange experienced a one-hour delay due to technical issues, adding to market turbulence.
• Chinese investors pulled back, and a rising US dollar made commodities less attractive, contributing to the price decline.
• Despite the recent drop, copper is still set for its sixth weekly gain in seven weeks, driven by earlier enthusiasm.
• Analysts suggest copper could rally further but face resistance from physical users, with an average of $13,000 expected in 2026.

Why It Matters: Copper prices saw a significant drop due to Chinese investor pullback, a stronger dollar, and LME technical issues.