--- title: "METALS-LME copper edges up from over one-week low in thin Asia trade" description: "LME copper rose 0.4% to $12,670.50 per metric ton in thin Asian trade after hitting a one-week low, pressured by high inventories and a strong dollar. The dollar's strength has impacted base metals, w" type: "news" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/276193437.md" published_at: "2026-02-18T03:16:08.000Z" --- # METALS-LME copper edges up from over one-week low in thin Asia trade > LME copper rose 0.4% to $12,670.50 per metric ton in thin Asian trade after hitting a one-week low, pressured by high inventories and a strong dollar. The dollar's strength has impacted base metals, with copper stocks in LME warehouses increasing to 221,625 tons, the highest in 11 months. Antofagasta reported a 52% rise in annual core profit, while other metals like zinc and aluminum also saw slight gains. Investors are awaiting the Federal Reserve's minutes for insights on future rate cuts. Feb 18 (Reuters) - LME copper edged up in thin Asian trade on Wednesday, after falling to a more than one-week low in the previous session as high inventories of the red metal and a firm dollar pressured prices. Benchmark copper (CMCU3) on the LME added 0.4% to $12,670.50 a metric ton as of 0219 GMT. It had fallen 1.8% on Tuesday. “The dollar’s renewed strength this week has hindered the performance of base metals. Dollar-denominated metals feel the squeeze, especially in a market already starved of Asian liquidity,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. The dollar held its ground on Wednesday as geopolitical risks kept markets on edge and investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve for signals on future rate cuts. (USD/) A stronger U.S. dollar makes greenback-priced metals more expensive for holders of other currencies. Copper stocks in LME-approved warehouses increased by 9,775 tons to 221,625 tons on Tuesday (MCUSTX-TOTAL) , the highest in 11 months. “High inventories could take a little while to clear, given the holiday conditions,” Waterer said. Meanwhile Chilean miner Antofagasta (ANTO.L) posted a 52% jump in annual core profit on Tuesday, as record high copper prices last year offset slightly weaker output. The miner said its increased capital spending would support production in the medium term. In other metals, zinc prices ticked up 0.2% to $3,291.0 (CMZN3) , after touching a two-week low on Tuesday. Aluminium (CMAL3) added 0.3% to $3,043.0, breaking a four-session losing streak. Lead (CMPB3) gained 0.1% to $1,947.50, tin (CMSN3) lost 1.3% to $45,425 and nickel (CMNI3) was up 0.2% at $16,895 a ton. Wednesday, February 18 DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 0700 UK Core CPI YY Jan 0700 UK CPI YY Jan 0700 UK CPI Services MM, YY Jan 0745 France CPI (EU Norm) Final MM, YY Jan 1300 US Durable Goods Dec 1300 US Housing Starts Number Dec 1415 US Industrial Production MM Jan 1900 US Federal Open Market Committee issues minutes from its meeting of January 27-28 ### Related Stocks - [SCCO.US - Southern Copper](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SCCO.US.md) - [XME.US - SPDR S&P Mtls & Mng](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XME.US.md) - [COPP.US - Sprott Copper Miners ETF](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COPP.US.md) - [ANTO.UK - Antofagasta plc](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ANTO.UK.md) - [DBB.US - Invesco DB TR Base Metals ETF](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DBB.US.md) - [COPJ.US - Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COPJ.US.md) - [CPER.US - United States Copper Index](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CPER.US.md) - [ICOP.US - iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ICOP.US.md) - [FCX.US - Freeport Mcmoran](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FCX.US.md) - [COPX.US - Global X Copper Miners](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COPX.US.md) ## Related News & Research | Title | Description | URL | |-------|-------------|-----| | 高盛表示，美国的战略储备可能会对铜价预测带来上行风险 | 高盛分析师预测，由于美国可能进行战略储备，他们对 2026 年第四季度铜价的预测存在上行风险，预计铜价为每公吨 11,200 美元。该举措可能会减少金属库存，使铜市场从供过于求转变为平衡。提议中的 “金库计划” 旨在维持关键矿物的 60 天 | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276199497.md) | | 金属市场：铜价因逢低买入在清淡的交易中上涨 | 铜价在 2 月 18 日上涨约 1%，从一周低点反弹，投资者在低交易量的情况下进行逢低买入。伦敦金属交易所基准铜价达到每公吨 12,755.50 美元。上海期货交易所因春节假期关闭，导致交易活动减少。分析师指出，库存上升和美国铜消费率下降可 | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276219950.md) | | 泰克资源公司由于铜价上涨和产量增加，季度利润超出预期 | 泰克资源公司报告了超出预期的第四季度利润，得益于铜价上涨和产量增加。这家加拿大矿业公司正在推进与英美资源公司的合并，旨在创建全球最大的铜生产商之一。泰克的实际铜价上涨了 22.5%，达到每磅 5.11 美元，产量增加近 10%，达到 134 | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276322103.md) | | 尽管年度收益下降了 7%，力拓集团仍维持全年股息 | 力拓集团（Rio Tinto PLC）报告称，2025 年税前利润下降 6.7%，降至 145.7 亿美元，尽管销售收入增长 7.4%，达到 576.4 亿美元。该公司将最终股息提高了 13%，至每股 254 美分，全年股息维持在 402 | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276307971.md) | | 力拓的非 GAAP 每股收益为 6.69 美元，超出预期 0.04 美元，收入达到 576.4 亿美元，超出预期 13.3 亿美元 | 力拓非 GAAP 每股收益为 6.69 美元，超出预期 0.04 美元，收入为 576.4 亿美元，超出预期 13.3 亿美元 | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276304282.md) | --- > **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.