The spot copper markets in Europe and the United States were very quiet in the week to Tuesday October 3, with macroeconomic headwinds pressuring demand for the red metal in both regions

Spot trading in the copper concentrate market was inactive in the week to Friday September 29, with Chinese participants in holiday mode ahead of China’s weeklong break for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day (September 29-October 6)

Participants in Europe’s copper industry struck a pessimistic tone in conversations with Fastmarkets in the lead-up to LME Week, with sources saying that weak demand, high interest rates and a poor macro-economic environment were dampening the mood in the industry

European spot copper market participants noted challenging market conditions in the week to Tuesday, August 22, with financing costs and weak demand putting downward pressure on premiums

A number of sources have told Fastmarkets that there is already demand in Europe for copper with green credentials. Less clear, however, is whether the supply demand balance has created the need for premiums for green copper, and what the future holds for the material

Economic stimulus policies put in place by the government of China will be key to sustaining price rises among base metals in the coming quarters, Daria Efanova, head of research at UK-based services provider Sucden Financial, said during the company’s third-quarter metals webinar on Wednesday, August 2

Copper market participants in Europe have become increasingly interested in 'green' material, with some consumers focusing procurement on environmentally conscious copper

Brazilian miner Vale has signed a binding agreement with Manara Minerals of Saudi Arabia under which the latter will buy a stake in Vale Base Metals (VBM), the holding entity for the South American company’s Energy Transition Metals (ETM) business, it announced on Thursday July 27

Despite concerns over the uncertainty of China’s economic recovery, base metals price forecasts remain mixed for aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin and zinc prices

Base metal futures on the London Metal Exchange are showing little signs of change as China's potential economic stimulus failed to materialize in June causing sentiment of rebounding Chinese demand to dampen