Copper Continues Advance on Tariff Concerns PLUS: July/November (N-X) Soybean Spread, CannonEdge Snapshot, Pre-Market Briefing PODCAST, Levels, Reports; Your 6 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on May 15th, 2026

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At A Glance Levels

Instrument S2 S1 Pivot R1 R2

Gold (GC)

— June (#GC)

4613.33 4636.47 4681.13 4704.27 4748.93

Silver (SI)

— July. (#SI)

80.42 82.26 85.71 87.56 91.01

Crude Oil (CL)

— June. (#CL)

98.29 100.14 101.25 103.10 104.21

 June Bonds (ZB)

— June. (#ZB)

111 23/32 111 30/32 112 12/32 112 19/32 113 1/32

Copper Continues Advance on Tariff Concerns

By

Tom Pawlicki of StoneX market Intelligence

copper

US copper futures made a new all-time high on Tuesday, with support continuing to come from flows of metal to CME warehouses, driven by potential new US tariff policies.

CME warehouse inventories of copper reached a record high yesterday at 624,000 MT. Inventories had reached a prior peak on March 2 at 601,700 just after the February 20 tariff ruling by the US Supreme Court which deemed tariffs under the IEEPA provision to be illegal. A plateau in CME inventories followed for seven weeks until a new high was made on April 22.

The current surge in copper inventories began in January 2025 when they were around 95,000 MT. The expectation that new tariffs would be applied by newly inaugurated President Trump had driven flows toward US-based warehouses in order for copper consumers to be able to buy feedstock without tariffs.

Many of those supplies were drawn from warehouses in China or from the LME, but inventories in those places have been rising as well starting this year.

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News regarding tariffs on copper has been difficult to track because developments have changed frequently. After inauguration day, the president issued an Executive Order to conduct a study on the national security implications around copper imports. The study was due by November 22, 2025, but was preempted on July 8, 2025, when the president announced a 50% tariff on all copper imports starting on August 1st.

Prices rallied 66c/lb that day on July 8, or more than 13%, but didn’t advance much more after that. The president later moved to exclude refined copper from the tariffs on July 30th, and that forced prices to drop $1.27/lb within two days, or 22.5%. The spread between the CME-LME had surged and later collapsed based on the two announcements.

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The Supreme Court decision striking down the IEEPA tariffs did not close the case on tariffs, which are still subject to implementation under Section 232. Those are considered legal if a Department of Commerce investigation finds that those imports threaten to impair U.S. national security.

A “simplification” of the tariff policy regarding copper was made five weeks ago on April 6, which implements a 50% tariff on articles made almost entirely with copper such as coils, wire and sheets. There are four additional classifications and tariff levels for derivative articles depending on how much copper they contain and whether the copper was made in the US, and they tariff the full value of the product rather than just the copper portion.

Metal-intensive industrial equipment and electrical grid equipment will pay 15% of the product’s value through 2027, when a new set of tariffs on refined copper may be implemented. A decision on those tariffs is expected to be made in July 2026.

With uncertainty about future tariffs still dominant, markets continue to draw the metal to CME warehouses in an attempt to avoid any future levies. That could keep prices supported on a long-term basis, and CFTC data on commitments of traders shows that happening.

There was some liquidation by the managed money group from January to March surrounding the Supreme Court decision, but traders have been moving back into the long side of copper futures since late-March. The net long has risen 28,200 contracts since then or an increase of about 80%.

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Important: Trading commodity futures and options involves a substantial risk of loss.  

The recommendations contained in this chart are of opinion only and do not guarantee any profits.  

Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.

July/November (N-X) soybean spread

The “widowmaker” in agricultural futures often refers to the high-risk, volatile July/November (N-X) soybean spread. This spread pits the old-crop supply (July) against new-crop supply (November), reacting violently to weather reports, planting acreage, and inventory data, which can lead to significant losses if the market reversals occur.

The July – Nov Bean Spread resumed its break into a new low for the move. The chart is testing support against the lows and approaching the third downside PriceCount objective to the 4 cent area.

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk.

Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors. Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Snapshot for May 15th

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Daily Levels for May 15th

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Economic Reports

provided by: ForexFactory.com

All times are Central Time ( Chicago)

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Find us on Trustpilot

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Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time.

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Add price confirmation workflow for signal-based intraday trading PLUS: July Copper, Pre-Market Briefing PODCAST, CannonEdge Snapshot, Levels, Reports; Your 6 Important Can’t-Miss Need-To-Knows for Trading Futures on May 13th, 2026

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At A Glance Levels

Instrument S2 S1 Pivot R1 R2

Gold (GC)

— June (#GC)

4580.07 4653.13 4718.27 4791.33 4856.47

Silver (SI)

— July. (#SI)

82.04 84.73 86.37 89.06 90.70

Crude Oil (CL)

— June. (#CL)

96.30 99.33 101.02 104.05 105.74

 June Bonds (ZB)

— June. (#ZB)

111 21/32 111 31/32 112 15/32 112 25/32 113 9/32

Add price confirmation workflow for signal-based intraday trading

intraday

Overview

  • Introduces a price confirmation concept for intraday/day trading workflows so signals are not acted on immediately.
  • The core behavior is to wait for the market to respect the signal before entering:

  • For a sell signal, confirm by breaking below the previous bar low.
  • For a buy signal, confirm by breaking above the previous bar high.
  • Helps filter out weak or premature signals and encourages more patient trade selection.
  • Demonstrates how the signal indicator can be paired with additional visual context, including:

  • Color Bars turning red/blue/black to help identify trend continuation or weakening momentum.
  • Trailing-stop management once the trend begins to fade or reverse.
  • Reinforces that the trader still needs to manage:

  • position size
  • stops
  • targets
  • trade exits
  • Includes a practical example on a 10-minute Nasdaq futures chart showing both a failed signal without confirmation and a successful trade after confirmation.
  • used as a discretionary visual aid and not as a hard entry/exit requirement.
  • This workflow is meant for educational or discretionary trading use and does not guarantee profitability.

Watch Video below and sign up for a free trial HERE

Price Confirmation
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July Copper

July Copper satisfied its first upside PriceCount objective earlier this year and corrected. Now, the chart is threatening to break out where new sustained highs would project a possible run to the second count to the 7.14 area.

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The PriceCount study is a tool that can help to project the distance of a move in price. The counts are not intended to be an ‘exact’ science but rather offer a target area for the four objectives which are based off the first leg of a move with each subsequent count having a smaller percentage of being achieved.

It is normal for the chart to react by correcting or consolidating at an objective and then either resuming its move or reversing trend. Best utilized in conjunction with other technical tools, PriceCounts offer one more way to analyze charts and help to manage your positions and risk.

Learn more at www.qtchartoftheday.com

Trading in futures, options, securities, derivatives or OTC products entails significant risks which must be understood prior to trading and may not be appropriate for all investors. Past performance of actual trades or strategies is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Cannon Edge — Your Daily Futures Snapshot for May 13th

93f5f3ad a1ea 4673 8857 6487382c778d

Daily Levels for May 13th

3a6c5caa 68d3 4d7e 9e1c f4039c89ee01

Economic Reports

provided by: ForexFactory.com

All times are Central Time ( Chicago)

b4f67d57 dced 4247 b0fb ea8c1887f787

Find us on Trustpilot

41a3c910 28d6 4126 946b 6659bb02ae4d

Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time.

Join our Private Facebook group

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Listen to our podcast: Subscribe on AppleSpotify, Amazon

or wherever you listen to podcasts!

S
Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn
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Contact

Copper Futures Contract

copper futures contract

Copper Futures Contract


copper futures contract

copper futures contract

Why Copper Continues to Attract Serious Futures Traders

The global commodities market has always rewarded traders who understand economic cycles, industrial demand, and market psychology. Few instruments combine those elements better than the copper futures contract.

Copper is often called “the metal with a PhD in economics.” That nickname exists for a reason. Copper demand reflects activity in construction, electric vehicles, renewable energy, telecommunications, housing, manufacturing, and infrastructure spending.

When economic growth accelerates, copper demand often rises sharply. When economies slow, copper prices can weaken quickly. That creates volatility, and volatility creates opportunity for futures traders.

Copper trading also attracts market participants because price movement can be highly responsive to geopolitical events. Supply disruptions in Chile or Peru can rapidly affect global pricing.

At the same time, Chinese industrial demand frequently influences market direction. Traders closely watch Chinese manufacturing reports, import data, and infrastructure announcements.

This constant flow of economic information makes copper attractive to both technical and fundamental traders.

What Makes Copper Different from Traditional Metal Markets

A copper futures contract behaves differently from many traditional precious metal products because copper is primarily an industrial metal rather than a financial safe haven.

Gold and silver often respond to:

  • Inflation fears
  • Central bank policy
  • Currency weakness
  • Risk-off sentiment

Copper reacts more directly to industrial expansion and manufacturing activity.

For example:

  1. A large infrastructure bill in the United States may support copper prices.
  2. Increased electric vehicle production can boost long-term demand projections.
  3. Renewable energy projects require substantial copper wiring and components.

These industrial uses create a different market personality compared to gold or silver futures.

Copper also tends to experience stronger supply chain sensitivity. Mining disruptions, labor strikes, weather issues, and export restrictions can produce rapid price movement.

That responsiveness creates short-term trading opportunities many active traders seek.

Another major difference involves volatility structure.

Gold sometimes trades in extended consolidation ranges during quiet macroeconomic periods. Copper often maintains more directional movement because industrial demand constantly changes.

Experienced traders appreciate markets with sustained momentum.

Why Technical Traders Like the Copper Market

Many chart-based traders prefer copper because the market frequently respects technical levels.

Support and resistance zones can become highly visible during active trading periods. Trend continuation patterns also appear consistently during strong economic cycles.

Popular strategies include:

  • Breakout trading
  • Moving average trend systems
  • Fibonacci retracement analysis
  • Volume confirmation setups
  • Momentum oscillators

Copper can also produce strong intraday movement during major economic releases.

For example, a surprising manufacturing report from China may trigger sharp market movement within minutes. Traders who specialize in momentum strategies often seek these conditions.

Liquidity is another important factor.

A properly traded copper futures contract usually provides enough volume for active participation while still delivering meaningful price movement.

That balance appeals to many short-term traders.

The Role of Global Electrification in Copper Demand

The energy transition has dramatically increased interest in industrial metals.

Electric vehicles require substantially more copper than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Renewable energy systems also rely heavily on copper wiring, transformers, and transmission infrastructure.

These long-term demand drivers have changed how many institutional traders approach the market.

Several major themes support copper demand:

  • Grid modernization
  • Electric transportation
  • Data center expansion
  • Artificial intelligence infrastructure
  • Green energy investment

Because of those developments, many traders believe copper may remain strategically important for years ahead.

That perception creates stronger institutional participation and deeper market engagement.

A copper futures contract therefore offers exposure to one of the most important industrial trends in the modern economy.

How a Strong Futures Broker Can Improve Trading Performance

Broker selection matters significantly in commodities trading.

Execution speed, platform stability, risk management tools, and customer service can directly affect performance outcomes.

A professional broker helps traders in several important ways.

Platform Technology

Fast execution becomes essential during volatile market conditions.

Copper markets can move rapidly following:

  • Inflation reports
  • Employment data
  • Chinese economic releases
  • Federal Reserve announcements

A quality broker provides stable order routing and advanced trading tools.

These may include:

  1. DOM trading functionality
  2. Automated bracket orders
  3. Real-time market depth
  4. Mobile execution capability
  5. Integrated risk controls

Technology reliability becomes especially important during fast-moving commodity sessions.

Risk Management Support

Commodity markets can experience sharp swings.

Professional brokers help traders manage exposure using:

  • Margin guidance
  • Position sizing education
  • Stop-loss functionality
  • Daily risk controls
  • Market analytics

For example, newer traders sometimes underestimate copper volatility during economic releases.

An experienced broker can help structure more disciplined risk parameters.

Market Education

Educational support remains extremely valuable.

Many traders improve performance through:

  • Webinars
  • Platform training
  • Strategy discussions
  • Market commentary
  • One-on-one support

A broker that understands commodity markets can often help traders avoid common mistakes.

That support may shorten the learning curve significantly.

Why Experience Matters in Commodity Brokerage

Commodity trading is highly specialized.

Not every brokerage understands futures execution, margin mechanics, or industrial commodity behavior.

Traders often prefer firms with decades of experience because those companies have navigated multiple market cycles.

Experienced firms understand:

  • Volatile commodity conditions
  • Risk management standards
  • Platform infrastructure
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Customer service expectations

Long-term operational history can provide confidence during uncertain market environments.

That reliability becomes especially important during periods of elevated volatility.

Why Cannon Trading Company Stands Out Globally

Cannon Trading Company has built a strong reputation among futures traders through decades of specialized service and market expertise.

The company focuses heavily on futures and commodity trading rather than trying to be a general retail brokerage.

That specialization matters.

Traders working with Cannon Trading Company gain access to:

  • Professional futures platforms
  • Responsive customer support
  • Competitive commission structures
  • Advanced execution technology
  • Deep futures market knowledge

The firm also supports a wide range of trading styles.

Whether a trader focuses on short-term momentum trading or longer-term commodity positioning, platform flexibility remains available.

A major strength of Cannon Trading Company involves client service.

Many traders value direct access to knowledgeable support professionals who understand futures markets in detail.

That can be especially important when trading fast-moving industrial products.

Another important advantage is platform diversity.

Cannon Trading Company provides access to respected futures platforms that support advanced charting, automated trading tools, and sophisticated order management systems.

For active commodity traders, execution flexibility can become a meaningful competitive advantage.

The company’s long-standing reputation also helps distinguish it within the global futures industry.

Trust and operational consistency matter greatly in leveraged markets.

Strategic Advantages of Trading Industrial Metals

Industrial metals offer diversification benefits many traders seek.

Equity indexes and bond markets do not always move in sync with commodity markets.

Copper often reflects:

  • Industrial growth expectations
  • Infrastructure investment
  • Supply chain conditions
  • Manufacturing expansion

That creates opportunities for macroeconomic positioning.

Some traders also use industrial metals to hedge inflation exposure or diversify broader trading portfolios.

A copper futures contract can therefore play multiple strategic roles within an active trading approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What influences copper prices the most?

Copper prices often react to global manufacturing demand, Chinese economic activity, mining supply disruptions, and infrastructure investment trends.

Interest rates and currency movement can also influence pricing behavior.

Is copper more volatile than gold?

Copper can experience stronger industrial-driven volatility than gold because supply chain disruptions and economic growth expectations directly affect demand.

That volatility attracts many active traders.

Why do traders use futures instead of buying physical copper?

Futures markets offer leverage, liquidity, and efficient price exposure without requiring physical storage or transportation of the underlying metal.

Is a copper futures contract suitable for short-term traders?

Yes. Many day traders and swing traders favor the market because of strong liquidity, technical movement, and reaction to economic news.

Why do traders choose Cannon Trading Company?

Many traders value the company’s decades of futures experience, strong customer support, platform flexibility, and specialization in commodity trading services.

Try a FREE Demo!

Ready to start trading futures? Call us at 1(800)454-9572 (US) or (310)859-9572 (International), or email info@cannontrading.com to speak with one of our experienced, Series-3 licensed futures brokers and begin your futures trading journey with Cannon Trading Company today.

Disclaimer: Trading Futures, Options on Futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involve substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Carefully consider if trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. Opinions, market data, and recommendations are subject to change at any time.

Important: Trading commodity futures and options involves a substantial risk of loss. The recommendations contained in this article are opinions only and do not guarantee any profits. This article is for educational purposes. Past performances are not necessarily indicative of future results.

This article has been generated with the help of AI Technology and modified for accuracy and compliance.

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