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Copper demand dips in peak China season after price hike
Copper consumption fell sharply short of expectations as China's period of peak industrial activity draws to a close, with manufacturing operating rates slipping to their lowest seasonal levels in years. This marks yet another example of how quickly demand can retreat in the world's largest consumer market for copper when prices rise too sharply. Global prices surged to record highs late last month following a series of disruptions at mines around the world. ING commodity strategists Eva Manthey and Warren Patterson noted that Chile, the world's largest copper producer, has raised its price forecasts for both this ... (full story)