Expectations for US Fed Interest Rate Hikes Intensify, Copper Prices Retreat After Rapid Rise, Spot Premiums Fluctuate at Highs [SMM Copper Morning Briefing]
Last Friday evening, LME copper opened at $14,351.5/mt, touched a high of $14,383/mt in early trading, then drifted lower all the way and dipped to $14,214.5/mt near the close. It subsequently drifted higher and settled at $14,285/mt, down 0.15%. Trading volume reached 16,900 lots, and open interest reached 270,000 lots, down 215 lots from the previous trading day, as bulls trimmed positions. Last Friday evening, the most-traded SHFE copper contract opened at 109,200 yuan/mt. It rose to 109,300 yuan/mt amid wild swings in early trading, after which the price center moved straight down to touch a low of 108,150 yuan/mt, before settling at 108,570 yuan/mt, down 0.05%. Trading volume reached 58,000 lots, and open interest reached 215,000 lots, down 1,422 lots from the previous trading day, as bulls trimmed positions.