Supply remained low, but demand was weak, and copper prices faced upward resistance [SMM Morning Comment].

Published: Mar 28, 2025 08:42

SMM March 28 News: Overnight, LME copper opened at $9,833/mt, reaching a high of $9,872/mt and a low of $9,808/mt, closing at $9,846.5/mt. The overall trend showed initial downward fluctuations followed by a rebound. The decline was 0.61%, with a trading volume of 26,000 lots and open interest of 311,000 lots. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2505 contract opened at 80,930 yuan/mt, reaching a high of 81,160 yuan/mt and a low of 80,550 yuan/mt, closing at 80,810 yuan/mt. The overall trend was downward fluctuations. The decline was 0.93%, with a trading volume of 84,000 lots and open interest of 223,000 lots. On the macro front, US data on Thursday showed a decline in initial jobless claims last week, but the market reaction was relatively small. The US dollar fluctuated on Thursday as the market speculated on the severity of the tariff measures to be announced by US President Trump next week, with uncertainty still unsettling the market. On the supply side, domestic social inventory destocking paused this week. Although east China maintained destocking, it was mainly due to reduced inflows. As of Thursday, March 27, SMM's mainstream copper inventory across the country slightly increased to 334,500 mt, marking the fourth consecutive week of weekly destocking. Next week, the arrival of imported copper and the increase in domestic copper production will both be limited, keeping the total supply at a low level. Demand side, affected by the recent high copper prices, downstream consumption has been weak, with sluggish market trading and declining spot premiums. Prices are expected to continue to fall tomorrow. Price-wise, with no macro positives and limited fundamental support, if domestic spot trading remains sluggish today, copper prices may continue to decline.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Read More
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Premier Li Qiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to study policy measures for promoting effective investment. The meeting noted that promoting effective investment plays an important role in stabilizing economic growth and strengthening momentum for development. It is necessary to innovate and improve policy measures, and intensify efforts to enhance the efficiency of utilizing funds such as central budget investments, ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, local government special bonds, and new-type policy-based financial instruments. In conjunction with formulating and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Read More
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the plenary sessions of the Party’s 20th Central Committee, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, strengthen top-level design, build computing power interconnection nodes oriented toward national hub periods, major strategic regions, and key industries, establish a system of computing power interconnection nodes, improve the efficiency and service level of public computing power resources, and promote high-quality development of computing power.
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Feb 6, 2026 23:47
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Read More
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
After intensive indirect consultations, the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US in Muscat, the capital of Oman, has achieved phased progress. It is reported that during this round of talks, the Iranian and US delegations did not meet directly. Instead, Omani Foreign Minister Badr acted as an intermediary, conveying a series of core proposals, strategic concerns, and policy positions to the other side. The atmosphere at the talks was tense yet efficient. According to preliminary on-site assessments, although both sides continue to negotiate over specific terms, they have reached a consensus on the key objective of "continuing dialogue."
Feb 6, 2026 23:47