---
title: "Citigroup: Expects copper prices to rise to $14,000 in the next three months"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/276810848.md"
description: "Citigroup expects copper prices to rise to USD 14,000 per ton in the next three months, maintaining a bullish outlook on copper prices in the short term, believing that the downside risks are limited. The main reasons include strong buying in both physical and financial markets, as well as the upcoming seasonal inventory consumption in China. Citigroup maintains its forecast of an average copper price of USD 13,000 per ton for 2026 and notes that a limited US-Iran nuclear agreement could boost risk assets such as copper"
datetime: "2026-02-25T01:27:20.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/276810848.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276810848.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/276810848.md)
---

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# Citigroup: Expects copper prices to rise to $14,000 in the next three months

On Tuesday, Citigroup stated that it holds a bullish outlook on copper prices in the short term, expecting copper prices to rise to $14,000 per ton in the next three months.

The bank pointed out that the short-term downside risk for copper prices is limited, as it anticipates strong buying interest in both physical and financial markets on dips, and that China will experience seasonal inventory consumption in the coming months.

Driven by improved market sentiment and stronger demand from China, the largest metal consumer, the benchmark three-month copper price reached its highest level since February 12 on Tuesday.

The bank maintains its base forecast for the average copper price in 2026 at $13,000 per ton, stating that this price level is sufficient to keep the global copper market roughly balanced this year.

Citigroup noted that a limited U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement or a short-term easing of tensions would boost risk-sensitive assets like copper.

The bank pointed out that the COMEX-LME arbitrage dynamics are no longer a significant factor driving prices higher, as arbitrage pricing has weakened since early 2026, and the recent inflow of metals into U.S. associated LME warehouses has remained strong, a trend that may continue in the short term.

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