Copper markets have had accelerated increases on the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Comex. Contributing factors include the decline of the U.S. dollar, the rise of the Chinese Yuan, and an improving world economy. Copper buyers can anticipate continued volatility as increases continue. Market uncertainties will temper the impact of any year end market readjustments, which often occur.

In mid-October, copper reached a new high on the LME after increasing optimism about China’s economic outlook.  Price drivers include a surge of China copper imports in September along with a prediction for 7.0 percent economic growth in the second half of the year. Also, the government clampdown on air smog activated suspicions of a possible winter shortage.

The American Supply Association (ASA) and its Industrial Piping Division (IPD) is the national organization serving wholesaler-distributors and their suppliers in the industrial and mechanical pipe-valve-fitting industry.  As a powerful alliance of channel partners, we provide a forum for your upstream trading partners to exchange critical information and address key issues.

In particular, ASA’s IPD members constantly check the pulse of the materials and commodities they proudly supply to you.  ASA’s IPD members are knowledgeable industry leaders, and those who volunteer their service on the IPD Executive Council compile and prepare the IPD Commodity Reports.  The Reports contain some of the most current and qualified market data and information available from the industry’s leading manufacturers and distributors about emerging trends and other price-influencing actions and events.