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Continuing Copper Coverage

Copper, Silver, Gold and Platinum Bars

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It's only late March and yet this is already the third time this year I've felt compelled to write about copper. Why? Because as physical copper supplies begin to dwindle, there will very likely be a secondary impact in other metals like silver.

I guess we should start with links to the other posts on copper from January and February:

 

The keys to this story are the supply/demand fundamentals. Copper is a very important industrial metal and conductor of electricity. As such, demand for it going forward this decade is expected to surge. Chew on this infographic for a moment:

The volume of 2050 net-zero copper demand

Further spicing the situation is growing demand for immediately-available copper. The chart below shows that above-ground and readily available stockpiles of physical copper have been falling for the past decade.

Total Copper Inventories

The situation has now worsened to the point where Goldman Sachs is projecting that ALL of the available above-ground global stockpiles may be depleted as soon as this August.

Global copper stockpiles will deplete by Auguest if the present trend continues

And now here's where it gets interesting. Awareness of this issue is growing, and the coverage of it is going "mainstream". For example:

 

Recently, we've all been reacquainted with the process and panic of a "bank run". These develop when bank customers suddenly fear for their savings (supply of cash) and seek immediate withdrawal (demand for cash) of their funds. The brewing supply/demand dynamic in copper presents a similar situation.

As mainstream awareness of the physical shortages grows, we should expect major industrial users of copper to seek immediate delivery. Why? These companies know they can't continue with product manufacturing without this key component. Therefore, they will seek to secure as much physical copper as they can get their hands on...before it's all gone.

And it's not just manufacturers. Did you see this story from earlier in the year? Trafigura is the largest commodity trading firm in the world. As such, they're on the hook for future delivery of physical metal. Read this link. They are not taking any chances:

 

This next link, from a few days ago, shows that Trafigura's concerns have not eased:

 

So why does this matter to a precious metals investor? It matters because silver is a close cousin to copper in terms of industrial usage and demand. The prices of copper and silver are often closely correlated on the price charts, and like copper, silver and the other base/industrial metals are seeing similar drawdowns in above-ground supplies.

Shortages Everywhere

On the long-term price chart, you can see where copper is very near all-time highs. How far might price run if/when it breaks out into "uncharted territory"?

High Grade Copper - Monthly Nearest Candlestick Chart

And finally, let's plot copper and silver together over the same period shown above. You can plainly see the long-term correlation. You might also note that silver currently appears to be undervalued by about half. Which begs the question: what happens to the price of silver if a "run" on copper develops and the copper price breaks to new all-time highs?

(copper in candlesticks, silver as a blue line)
Copper in Candlesticks, silver as blue line

So be sure to keep an eye on the copper price in the weeks and months ahead. You might keep an eye on this space, too, as you can be certain that this third copper post of 2023 won't be the last.

 

The more you know, the more wisely you invest.

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About the Author

Our Ask The Expert interviewer Craig Hemke began his career in financial services in 1990 but retired in 2008 to focus on family and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Since 2010, he has been the editor and publisher of the TF Metals Report found at TFMetalsReport.com, an online community for precious metal investors.

*The author is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Sprott Money Ltd. The views and opinions expressed in this material are those of the author or guest speaker, are subject to change and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sprott Money Ltd. Sprott Money does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of the information or any results from its use.

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