Will LME Copper Cheer up during Chinese New Year Like Years Past? SMM Interviews

SHANGHAI, Feb. 11 (SMM) – Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) usually trend up during the Chinese New Year holiday. Will the same occur during the upcoming 2015 Chinese New Year holiday in mid-February?

 

The table below shows LME copper price changes during and after the Chinese New Year holiday in the past five years:
 

 Edited by SMM

 

Analysts interviewed by SMM list the major events that will affect LME copper during the holiday:

 

The US dollar index climbed to a more than 11-year high lately. With the US housing starts, PPI, and existing home sales for January to be released during the holiday, the movements of US dollar index will largely influence LME copper prices.

 

Crude oil prices experienced intensified volatility. Crude futures rebounded after hitting an over 5-year low on January 29, with LME copper following up. 

 

The Greek debt issue may be the greatest uncertainty, as Eurogroup will discuss the conditions for extending bailouts to Greece at the meeting scheduled for 16 February – just before the holiday. And the result from the meeting may magnify market movements. 

 

There will be a briefing on China’s economic performance at the press conference to be held by the State Council Information Office February 20, which may send signals about olicies to be adopted after the holiday. 

 

“Copper consumption is often the weak around the Chinese New Year holiday, with inventories both at home and aboard set for rises, however, expectation for more stimulus policies may probably offer some support to prices,” an analyst from Minmetals Futures told SMM. 
 

The article is edited by SMM and is provided for information purpose only. SMM assumes no liability and does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or completeness of information contained or quoted in the article, either express or implied. SMM further disclaims any liability for losses in connection with the information contained or quoted in the article.

For news cooperation, please contact us by email: sallyzhang@smm.cn or service.en@smm.cn.