Copper futures dropped more than 3% to around $6 per pound on Friday, reversing a sharp rally from the previous session amid a broad retreat across the metals complex. Investors locked in profits after copper, gold, silver, and other metals surged to record levels, while a nascent rebound in the dollar added further pressure. Market participants also reassessed the fundamentals behind the recent speculative rally, which had been driven in part by expectations of higher long-term demand amid limited supply following decades of underinvestment in new mining projects. Demand projections are supported by surging investment in data centers and the electrification infrastructure needed for AI services and electric vehicle charging stations. Recurring tariff threats from US President Donald Trump further amplified the rise in metal prices, as investors sought hard assets amid economic uncertainty and deteriorating confidence in the dollar.
