Copper futures fell more than 1% to around $5.7 per pound in the final session of the year, as investors participated in year-end profit taking following a strong rally. Despite the pullback, copper is on track to post its largest annual gain since 2009, emerging as the top-performing base metal. The metal has benefited from supply constraints and robust demand driven by the energy transition and expanding infrastructure for artificial intelligence and data centres. On the London Metal Exchange, benchmark three-month copper slipped slightly to $12,538 per metric ton but is set to finish the year with a gain exceeding 43%. Mine disruptions, including the temporary closure of Freeport’s Grasberg mine in Indonesia, further supported the rally, helping copper breach several key price milestones throughout the year.
