Copper is on track for its biggest annual price rise in more than a decade, driven by supply disruptions, a weakening U.S. dollar, improving expectations for Chinese economic growth — and blockbuster spending on artificial intelligence. Analysts say the red metal's rally could continue next year, particularly amid supply fears and a rapidly expanding global data center footprint. Three-month copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) traded up 1.5% at $12,405 per metric ton on Tuesday, paring recent gains after notching a record high of $12,960 in the previous session. The benchmark contract, which is up around ... (full story)