US copper market preparing for 2018 contract talks

摘要

After a summer slog and disappointing demand through the first fewweeks of autumn, US copper participants are preparing for thebusiest period of the year.Annual negotiations will see roughly 70-80% of all 2018 tonnagescontracted out between producers and consumers over the next twomonths. But one problem remains for the entire industry: despitethe optimism on the futures market, physical demand in the USAremains weak, and few macroeconomic indicators are hopeful forthe new year.