Core Inflation Exceeds Expectations, Boosting Rate Hike Expectations; Copper Prices Consolidate at Highs [SMM Copper Morning Meeting Summary]
SMM Morning Meeting Minutes: Last Friday evening, LME copper opened at $14,088/mt, rose to an intraday high of $14,359/mt, then pulled back in consolidation, and finally closed at $14,226/mt, up 0.31%. Trading volume reached 27,000 lots, and open interest reached 275,000 lots, an increase of 2,022 lots from the previous trading day, driven by bullish positioning. Last Friday, the most-traded SHFE copper 2610 contract opened at 108,660 yuan/mt, rose to an intraday high of 108,830 yuan/mt in early trading, then drifted lower to an intraday low of 108,350 yuan/mt, and finally closed at 108,440 yuan/mt, down 0.50%. Trading volume reached 37,000 lots, and open interest reached 193,000 lots, a decrease of 5,979 lots from the previous trading day, driven by bullish liquidation.