FX.co ★ Copper Rebounds as Risk Appetite Improves

Copper futures rose to about $6.26 per pound on Friday, erasing losses from earlier in the week as appetite for risk assets improved, driven by a rebound in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks. Investors also looked past renewed fighting in the Middle East after reports suggested the US and Iran would continue peace negotiations aimed at securing a lasting resolution to the conflict. At the same time, oil prices pulled back from recent highs, easing inflation worries and tempering fears of more aggressive interest rate hikes, which in turn brightened the outlook for manufacturing activity. Nonetheless, markets still anticipate at least one interest rate increase from the Federal Reserve this year. Copper—often regarded as a bellwether of global economic growth—remained highly sensitive to developments in the economic and monetary policy landscape.