KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index rebounded from earlier losses to close at its intraday high on Wednesday, gaining 0.27 per cent in late trading as buying interest returned to selected heavyweights. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advanced 4.48 points to 1,676.83 from Tuesday’s close of 1,672.35. The benchmark index opened 0.88 of-a-point lower at 1,671.47 and subsequently hit a low of 1,665.94 during the mid-morning session before gaining momentum toward closing. On the broader market, losers led gainers by 565 to 512, while some 526 counters were unchanged, 1,046 untraded, and 10 suspended. Turnover improved to 2.73 billion units worth RM2.76 billion versus Tuesday’s 2.66 billion units worth RM2.76 billion. Dealers said that investors were cautious following geopolitical developments in Asia.
The global copper market has been rocked by the looming threat of US import tariffs, which could severely disrupt the current trading environment. Traders have been scrambling to ship copper to the United States before President Trump’s proposed tariffs take effect, hoping to capitalize on the price differential between New York's Comex and the London Metal Exchange (LME).
Key Points:
Tariff Impact: US President Donald Trump’s potential 25% tariffs on copper imports have sparked a rush to ship copper into the country before the tariffs arrive. Traders are paying up to $500 more per ton to secure copper for delivery to the US, betting that the tariffs will push prices even higher.
Market Disconnect: Prices on the LME are currently trading at a record discount to Comex prices, with a gap of around $1,500 per ton. This price difference has led traders to buy up cheaper copper from international markets to take advantage of the disparity.
Risk of Losses: While this trade has been highly profitable for many, there is a major risk. If the tariffs are imposed sooner than expected, copper shipments arriving after the tariffs are enacted will face substantial losses, as the cost of tariffs could wipe out any profits made from the trade.
Timing Concerns: Traders are facing a "race against time" as they try to get shipments into the US before tariffs are imposed, with some traders questioning whether there will be any grace period for shipments already in transit.
Global Copper Deficit: There were previous expectations that the copper market would face a severe deficit as copper poured into the US. However, if less copper is shipped due to early tariffs, the anticipated supply-driven price rally might not materialize.
Uncertainty and Volatility: With the US expected to impose tariffs on other sectors like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff plan has caused market volatility. Analysts warn that these tariffs will likely affect demand for copper, raising prices in the US while limiting global demand.
As traders adjust to this new reality, copper's hot trade faces a high-stakes gamble with the threat of significant financial losses if tariffs are enacted faster than expected.
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