Japan Official Cu Price Increases by 30,000 yen/t

JX Nippon Mining & Metals announced on Friday the firm increased official copper ingot selling price by 30,000 yen to 710,000 yen per tonne for January shipment. The price hit the highest level in 4 months. The monthly averaged price increased by 4,800 yen to 662,100 yen per tonne without any more revision in January.

Copper ingot price increased by US$ 227 to US$ 8,560 per tonne at settlement on Thursday from Monday, based on which JX Nippon Mining & Metals revised the price. Speculative buying increased after announcement of extension of US monetary easing policy. The LME price increased by more than 10% from the price in the beginning of the year when expectation for Chinese easing policy lifts the price.