Copper Hits Record High; Check List of Stocks That May Benefit

 

By Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ)
 

Summary:


Copper hit a record high of $6.65 per pound on June 2, 2026, with LME prices near $13,800 per tonne. The rally is driven by Chile’s weak output, US tariff uncertainty, and strong AI-led demand. In India, Hindustan Copper and Vedanta benefit from the rally in copper prices, while Polycab and KEI face cost pressure.

On June 2, 2026, copper hit an all-time high of $6.65 per pound. This surge put the base metal at record levels in both the COMEX in the US and the London Metal Exchange (LME). 

As of early June, the price in London was near $13,800 per tonne, climbing due to disrupted supplies, trade tensions, and robust demand for AI and electric-related industry needs. Over the past 4 weeks, Copper gained 14.75%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 37.52% 

On June 4, 2026, copper futures retreated from higher levels to $6.45 per pound. Still, they remained near the record high from the day before. This was because of ongoing concerns over a US tariff and tighter supplies elsewhere. Those issues helped keep prices elevated.

The US Tariff Decision is the Immediate Catalyst

In February 2026, President Trump signed an executive order opening a Section 232 investigation into copper imports. The outcome of that review is now due by 30 June 2026, with the administration potentially moving ahead with a universal duty on refined copper imports of 15% in 2027 and 30% in 2028. 

The prospect of such restrictions has already prompted traders to front-load shipments into US warehouses, squeezing supply elsewhere. 

Hindustan Copper Ltd

Trade

541.7-3.64 (-0.66 %)

Updated - 04 June 2026
544.95day high
DAY HIGH
537.70day low
DAY LOW
133305
VOLUME (BSE)

Before the decision, US copper prices were soaring past global norms, sending more metal to American ports. Plus, copper saw an even bigger push when prices jumped over 5% in May because of wider macro factors. Easing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, along with strong optimism around artificial intelligence-related demand, have also contributed to the upward momentum.

This has created an unusual inventory split globally. US inventories now stand above 500,000 tonnes while LME stocks are below 100,000 tonnes. In London and Shanghai, inventories have fallen by more than 55% since last August, leaving European and Asian manufacturers dealing with high regional premiums while the LME cash-to-three-month spread remains in deep backwardation 

Chile's Output at a 23-Year Low

On the supply side, the situation has deteriorated noticeably. Chile, the world's largest copper producer, reported its weakest April output in 23 years, raising concerns over tightening global supply. A strike at the Mantoverde mine in Chile has added to concerns, with the mine accounting for around 0.5% of global mined copper. Low inventories on major exchanges can't absorb more supply shocks. Disruptions in Indonesia and Congo have made things tighter, too. So there's basically no room for extra issues.

AI and Electrification: The Demand Story

The demand side is just as significant as the supply constraints. AI data centre construction has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sources of copper consumption globally. Large AI campuses need about 27 to 33 tonnes of copper per megawatt. With hyperscalers growing, more resources are being used up fast. According to Mining Digital, data centre growth will gobble up an extra 110,000 tonnes of copper in 2026 alone.

Beyond data centres, the drive toward electrification keeps up demand. Electric vehicles use roughly 3–4 times more copper, about 60–80 kg per car, compared to regular petrol vehicles. Plus, renewable energy and grid growth need around 4–6 tonnes of copper for each MW. This highlights how much copper the global energy shift relies on.

Which Indian Companies Are in Focus?

The rally creates a split picture for Indian companies depending on which side of the value chain they sit on.

Hindustan Copper is the most direct beneficiary among listed Indian names. As India's only vertically integrated copper producer, its realisations move directly with global prices. The company's Q4FY26 performance illustrated this clearly. Net sales jumped 58.06% YoY to ₹1,156.08 crore. With copper now at record highs as the new financial year begins, the operating environment remains favourable for the company. 

A copper price increase generally bolsters Vedanta’s bottom line, though its direct impact on domestic smelting is currently limited by the prolonged shutdown of its Thoothukudi smelter in Tamil Nadu. However, the company indirectly gains through soaring international metal realisations, a diversified non-ferrous portfolio, and its ongoing corporate restructuring. 

Polycab India, the biggest wire and cable maker with around 18% of the market, is dealing with rising costs. If copper prices rise by 10%, their final products only get more expensive by 4% to 5%. Since copper makes up 60% to 70% of the total cost for standard cables, any movement in London Metal Exchange prices affects domestic cable pricing too, but with a lag of four to eight weeks. If copper stays at its highest levels through the second half of 2026, operating margins will take a hit unless the company can pass those higher costs on without losing sales volume.

KEI Industries, with strong exposure to both cables and EPC project work, faces a similar challenge. Fixed-price project contracts are particularly exposed here since input costs cannot always be recovered once a contract is signed. Companies in this space are hedging, increasing scrap usage, and in some segments shifting to aluminium conductors to manage the cost impact.

With copper now at all-time highs and the 30 June US tariff decision still pending, input cost management will remain a central theme for both Polycab and KEI Industries through the first half of FY27.

Source: Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ), Trading Economics, Investing News Network

Published Date : 04 Jun 2026

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Content Partner - Dalal Street Investment Journal Wealth Advisory Private Limited



This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market investments are subject to risks. DSIJ Wealth Advisory Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst (Reg. No: INH000006396) and Investment Adviser (Reg. No: INA000001142). Please consult your financial adviser before investing. 

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