US Troops Deploy, Aluminium & Copper Prices Slip
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- U.S. sent thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, boosting the dollar and raising concerns about prolonged conflict and higher oil prices hurting economic growth and metals demand.
- Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange fell 1.5% to $3,203 per metric ton, after earlier modest gains.
- Copper on the LME dropped 2.1% to $11,897.50 per ton, heading for a 7% weekly loss, its biggest since April 2025.
- Copper inventories in the United States rose by 4,725 tons to 98,675 tons, the highest level since February 2019.
- Shanghai copper futures closed 1.1% lower at 94,780 yuan, down 6.1% for the week.
- Other base metals saw mixed moves: zinc flat at $3,071.50, tin down 0.1% to $43,500, nickel up 0.1% to $17,005, and lead up 0.6% to $1,898.50.
Why it matters: The plunge in aluminium and copper prices squeezes miners and investors, while the stronger dollar and oil‑price concerns flag a broader slowdown in economic growth and metals demand, tightening profit margins across the sector and raising cost pressures for downstream manufacturers.
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