Metals: A relatively quiet week across the metal space with funds adding exposure to all five contracts. The gold net-long only increased by 1% during the reporting week that finished the day before the yellow metal traded above $1800/oz. for the first time since 2011. However, with funds increasing fresh short positions (+6k) almost by as much they added to the long side (+7.6k), some nervousness may emerge about the underlying strength in the market. Something that was highlighted on Friday when after having struggled to attract fresh momentum on the break above $1800/oz closed back below on virus treatment hopes,.
The HG copper net-long rose 14% to reach 31.5k lots, the highest since June 2018. This before finishing another strong week at $2.8975, a level last seen in May 2019. The 40% rally since the March low has been driven by a forceful combination of increased Chinese demand, a speculative surge and most recently coronavirus disruptions to supply from Chile and Peru, the world’s two largest producers. The latter explaining why copper, at least in the short term, can trade above pre-pandemic levels.
Latest developments:
HG Copper took aim at $3/lb during the Asian session thereby continuing its impressive run of gains that has taken it to the highest in more than two year and well above January’s pre-pandemic level. On top of the support being provided by virus-related supply disruptions from the world’s two largest producers in South America, the market now also has to deal with the risk of strikes. This after workers at an Antofagasta mine in Chile have rejected a final offer while another operation will conclude voting today on whether to accept a final offer.
Precious metals trade higher this Monday, inspired by a the general risk on that has driving stocks higher and the dollar lower. On top of this some safe have demand due to a continued surge in virus cases and US-China trade and political tensions. Adding to this copper’s impressive run of gains which has given silver a fresh boost. The price is once again challenging resistance at $19/oz while the XAUXAG ratio has dropped to 95.50. A break below the June low at 94.50 could be the trigger that signals a move in the spot price towards $20/oz.