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Base metals are enjoying a gleam in prices as recent US dollar dips and softer inflation numbers boost their appeal.
What does this mean?
The US Commerce Department's latest inflation figures suggest a potential easing from the Federal Reserve next year. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index inched up just 0.1% in November, marking a yearly rate of 2.4%, against predictions of 2.5%. This cooling inflation pressure could mean a more relaxed Fed stance. Meanwhile, as the US dollar retreats from its peaks, commodities like metals, priced in dollars, become cheaper for international buyers, lifting prices on exchanges. Copper reached $8,977 per metric ton on the London Metal Exchange, and aluminum hit $2,545, buoyed by these economic signals. China's Shanghai Futures Exchange is seeing similar trends, boosting metals' global investment appeal.
With the dollar's decline making metals cheaper for international buyers, market access broadens, supporting price hikes. An exchange rate of $1 to 7.2945 yuan helps international buyers snag metals at better deals, fueling robust demand and potential growth in metal-dependent sectors.
The bigger picture: Inflation cools, markets anticipate shifts.
Easing inflation in the US hints at possible changes in monetary policy that could reshape market landscapes. If the Fed softens interest rates as inflation slows, cheaper commodities could become more accessible, directing capital flows toward resource-rich emerging markets.