Copper prices hit a new record as relentless Chinese demand and a potential supply shock from Chile highlighted supply concerns, according to Matt Whitaker of The Wall Street Journal.
China, the world's No. 1 consumer of the red metal, released data showing that industrial output and capital spending were holding steady even though Beijing has recently taken steps to cool investment in real-estate and other sectors. That sent the benchmark futures contract to a record $8,966 a ton in London, the world's biggest metals trading hub, while copper in Shanghai hit 70,150 yuan, or $10,557.10, a ton.