Copper is a base metal and industrial commodity used primarily in electrical wiring, construction, and electronics due to its high conductivity and ductility. It is traded on major commodity exchanges like the London Metal Exchange (LME) and COMEX.
Description: Copper is one of the oldest metals used by humans, dating back to 8000 BCE. It is a reddish-gold, malleable, and ductile metal with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Today, copper is essential for electrical infrastructure, renewable energy systems (e.g., wind turbines, solar panels), electric vehicles, and construction. Its price is influenced by global economic growth, supply disruptions, and demand from emerging technologies. Major producers include Chile, Peru, and China. Copper is traded as futures contracts on the LME (grade A copper) and COMEX (HG copper), with ticker symbols such as 'COPPER' on some platforms. It is also available via ETFs like the iPath Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN (JJC) and the United States Copper Index Fund (CPER).
Established / Launched: 8000 BCE (first use); modern futures trading: 1877 (LME)
Founder / Issuer: Not applicable (natural resource); modern exchange: London Metal Exchange
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom (LME); New York, USA (COMEX)
