Historical data shows that the peak times of copper and aluminum in 1980 were not completely synchronized with gold and silver, but there was a highly tradable "lagged catch-up" **window.

If 2026 repeats 1980, this time difference will be your **"golden January"** to calmly switch battlefields or profit from short positions after precious metals peak.

1. Peak times of copper and aluminum: February 1980

Unlike gold and silver, which peaked on January 18-21, the rally of industrial metals (copper, aluminum) lasted about a month longer, reaching their historical peaks in February 1980.

Copper (Copper)

* Peak time: February 1980 (highest monthly average price)

* Price performance:

* January 1980: Average price ~$2,593/ton (following precious metals).

* February 1980: Average price surged to a historical peak of $2,917/ton.

* March 1980: Quickly fell back to $2,304/ton, confirming the peak.

* Conclusion: Copper peaked ~3-4 weeks later than gold and silver.

Aluminum (Aluminum)

* Peak time: February 1980

* Price performance:

* January 1980: Average price $2,054/ton.

* February 1980: Average price surged to a historical peak of $2,131/ton.

* March 1980: Fell to $1,978/ton.

* Conclusion: Aluminum was completely synchronized with copper, also peaking a month later than precious metals.

2. Core logic: Why the "one-month gap"?

This is crucial for your 2026 trading strategy. The 1980 gap was not accidental but determined by capital flows and macro transmission:

* "Spillover effect" of inflation panic:

* Phase 1 (January): Hunt Brothers' silver squeeze concentrated speculative capital on gold/silver (strongest monetary attributes). Copper/aluminum rose but were overshadowed.

* Phase 2 (February): After gold/silver crashed due to exchange rules (position closing only), speculative capital and the **illusion that "inflation isn't over yet"** flooded into "still-standing" physical assets—copper and aluminum—creating a final catch-up rally.

* Lagged fundamental confirmation:

* Gold/silver crash.