|

This commodity is poised for 50% upside as energy transition and AI demand booms [Video]

The Beatles told the world, “Love is all you need.” But according to GSC Commodity Intelligence, “Copper is all you need” – especially when it comes to the energy transition and global artificial intelligence technology boom.

As an unprecedented phenomenon known as “the shortage of everything” continues to drive Commodity prices higher in 2024 – Copper has captured the attention of Wall Street’s most powerful banks as the next major Commodity that could be destining for exponential upside this year.

Copper's second secular “bull market this century” is off to a red-hot start in 2024 with prices blasting above $10,000 a ton for the first time in two years.

The surge in Copper prices is being fuelled by a magnitude of bullish macro tailwinds including a global supply crunch due to mine closures and red-hot demand for the metal to power energy transition and artificial intelligence technologies.

Copper, one of the best electrical-conducting metals, is already used worldwide in motors, batteries and wiring – nicknamed "Dr. Copper" because demand for it is widely seen as a barometer for global economic health.

In their latest research report, analysts at GSC Commodity Intelligence estimated – data centers to power AI servers will require an additional 1 million metric tons of Copper over the next three years. The report went on to say that global data center energy consumption reached 382 TWh in 2022, with a forecast to exceed 803 TWh by 2027. Put another way, 382 TWh is equivalent to France's annual electricity consumption.

In addition, new demand is also forecast to come from electric vehicles, which are built with four times more Copper than vehicles with internal combustion engines. 

Overall, as demand surges and the world needs more Copper and lots of it fast – there’s one big problem.

Global supply is shrinking at a record pace off the back of a "triple deficit" – low inventories, low spare capacity and low investment.

All of this means one thing – the Copper market is only going to get tighter and that will inevitability push prices a lot higher from current levels

According to Goldman Sachs, Copper prices are currently only at “the foothills of what will be its Everest” – forecasting prices will average an astonishing $15,000 per metric ton next year.

Copper isn’t the only Commodity to rocket on low inventory this year. Its upside has been replicated by other key “Green Energy Metals” including Cobalt, Lithium, Nickel, Iron Ore, Zinc, Uranium and Aluminium, which just made headlines recently by posting its biggest intraday gain since 1987.

Whichever way you look at it, one thing is clear. The macroeconomic backdrop for Commodities in 2024 is looking more bullish than ever before – and it certainly won't take much for prices to breach new record highs in the coming weeks and months ahead.

Where are prices heading next? Watch The Commodity Report now, for my latest price forecasts and predictions:

Author

Phil Carr

Phil Carr

The Gold & Silver Club

Phil is the co-founder and Head of Trading at The Gold & Silver Club, an international Commodities Trading Firm specializing in Metals, Energies and Soft Commodities.

More from Phil Carr
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD recovers to 1.1750 region as 2025 draws to a close

Following the bearish action seen in the European session on Wednesday, EUR/USD regains its traction and recovery to the 1.1750 region. Nevertheless, the pair's volatility remains low as trading conditions thin out on the last day of the year.

GBP/USD stays weak near 1.3450 on modest USD recovery

GBP/USD remains under modest beairsh pressure and fluctuates at around 1.3450 on Wednesday. The US Dollar finds fresh demand due to the end-of-the-year position adjustments, weighing on the pair amid the pre-New Year trading lull. 

Gold retreats to $4,300 area, looks to post monthly gains

Gold stays on the back foot on the last day of 2025 and trades near $4,300, possibly pressured by profit-taking and position adjustments. Nevertheless, XAU/USD remains on track to post gains for December and extend its winning streak into a fifth consecutive month.

Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP prepare for a potential New Year rebound

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple are holding steady on Wednesday after recording minor gains on the previous day. Technically, Bitcoin could extend gains within a triangle pattern while Ethereum and Ripple face critical overhead resistance. 

Economic outlook 2026-2027 in advanced countries: Solidity test

After a year marked by global economic resilience and ending on a note of optimism, 2026 looks promising and could be a year of solid economic performance. In our baseline scenario, we expect most of the supportive factors at work in 2025 to continue to play a role in 2026.

Crypto market outlook for 2026

Year 2025 was volatile, as crypto often is.  Among positive catalysts were favourable regulatory changes in the U.S., rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DAT), adoption of AI and tokenization of Real-World-Assets (RWA).