Copper rebounds as China manufacturing grows

Production and Markets

Copper rebounded on optimism demand may be recovering as manufacturing in China, the world’s largest consumer, expanded for a fourth month and on speculation the country’s bank lending climbed to a record in June.

China’s Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to a seasonally-adjusted 53.2 in June from 53.1 in May, the Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said on Wednesday.

A reading above 50 indicates an expansion. Copper has surged 64% on the London Metal Exchange this year on speculation Chinese demand will offset falling consumption in the rest of the world.

"Sentiment is quite positive among investors at the moment," said Lin Yougu, research manager at Shanghai Jiuheng Futures Brokerage Co. "There is speculation that China’s bank lending rose to a record in June, which is making investors more optimistic about economic recovery and growth."

Three-month delivery copper on the London Metal Exchange gained as much as 2% to US$5,065/t, and traded at US$5,056 at 3:02pm Singapore time. The contract fell to US$4,967/t yesterday. Copper for September delivery in New York climbed 1.5% to US$2.3040/lb.

October-delivery copper on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell as much as 2.7% to ¥39,800/t (US$5,825/t), tracking overnight declines in London and New York, and ended the day at ¥40,370.

China’s ¥4 trillion (US585 billion) stimulus plan and bank lending of ¥5.84 trillion in the first five months, almost triple the amount in the same period last year, are driving growth in the world’s third-biggest economy, resulting in record copper imports.

Among other LME-traded metals, zinc gained 1% to US$1,564/t, lead climbed 0.9% to US$1,705/t and nickel added 1.1% to US$15,550/t. Aluminum was unchanged at US$1,630/t, while tin advanced 1.1% to US$14,301/t as of 3:04pm in Singapore.

(Bloomberg, July 1)