28-Apr-2026 17:55

Copper slumped today as weakness in Chinese economic activity weighed on the metal. The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for China declined by 0.2% in March 2026 to 144.8 (2016=100), matching the 0.2% drop recorded in February. Over the six-month period from September 2025 to March 2026, the LEI contracted by 1.3%, following a steeper 2.0% decline in the preceding six months, pointing to ongoing softness in near-term economic momentum. COMEX Copper futures saw accelerated losses after breaking under $6 per pound and currently trades at $5.88 per pound, down 2.18% on the day. These are the lowest levels in last two-weeks for the counter. Meanwhile, Asian shares eased today. China's Shanghai Composite index shed 0.19% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.95%. Japan's Nikkei average fell 1%, coming off record high. European stocks gained modestly. Uks FTSE index added around half a percent. The US stocks saw lax moves but overall stayed supported as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 hit fresh record highs.

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