Copper futures in the US fell to $5.9 per pound on Monday, inching down from the near one-month high of $6 in the previous session as war in the Middle East triggered a surge in the dollar and hampered the outlook for global manufacturing activity.

Strikes by US forces killed the Supreme Leader of Iran, prompting Tehran to strike multiple allied Middle Eastern countries and their energy infrastructure.

The events lifted energy prices, consequently supporting the US dollar and yields to pressure demand for base metals among major foreign consumers.

Still, prices remained relatively close to their record high of $6.2 touched in the end of January as bullish speculative demand coincides with tight supply.

Funds expect global copper consumption to rise sharply in the next years due to the metal’s applications in data centers and electrification technologies.

In the meantime, new mined output is not seen growing in a comparable pace due to decades of underinvestment in the sector.
Source: Trading Economics