NY Fed's Williams Affirms Steady Rates, Cautions War Risks Inflation and Economic Slowdown

[SMM Shanghai Spot Copper] The Shanghai-Guangdong price spread showed signs of further widening during the day, with the price spread already approaching 150 yuan/mt. Although no significant cross-regional arbitrage between the two areas has emerged, the strong premiums in Guangdong are expected to also push up premium levels in Shanghai and other regions.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has raised planned copper sales to the United States to 500,000 tonnes through a state-backed marketing venture, marking a fivefold increase from its initial January commitment. The deal, first reported by Semafor, is led by state miner Gécamines and marketed through a joint venture with Mercuria Energy Group, with backing from the US International Development Finance Corporation. It targets copper output from Gécamines’ minority stakes in major operations, including Kamoto Copper Company and Tenke Fungurume.

SMM Morning Meeting Minutes: Overnight, LME copper opened at $13,240.5/mt, fluctuated upward to a high of $13,295/mt in early trading, then the copper price center dropped sharply to $13,182.5/mt, followed by wild swings, and finally closed at $13,242/mt, down 0.26%, with trading volume at 17,000 lots and open interest at 287,000 lots, a decrease of 2,451 lots from the previous trading day, indicating bulls reducing positions. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2606 contract opened at 102,350 yuan/mt, rose to 102,510 yuan/mt in early trading, then the copper price center dropped sharply to 101,700 yuan/mt, before fluctuating upward to finally close at 102,290 yuan/mt, down 0.09%, with trading volume at 28,500 lots and open interest at 174,000 lots, an increase of 820 lots from the previous trading day, indicating bears adding positions.