Chinese Copper Demand Sags in Busy Season After Prices Surge

As the busy period for Chinese manufacturing draws to a close, copper consumption has largely disappointed, with run rates at fabricators plumbing multiyear lows for the season.

It’s another instance of how quickly demand in the world’s biggest consumer can evaporate when the market rises too sharply. International prices surged to a record at the end of last month following mine disruptions around the world.