Oil Prices Retreat Amid US-Iran Tensions as Copper Hits Record High
The global commodities market saw significant fluctuations on Monday, August 25th, amidst escalating tensions between the US and Iran. The U.S. Treasury Secretary's announcement of 'unprecedented' measures to isolate Iran sparked a pullback in crude oil futures. Brent crude for October delivery fell by 2.4% to settle at $92.17 per barrel, while WTI crude dropped by the same margin to $85.01 per barrel.
LME copper futures, however, reached an all-time high of $14,273 per tonne after a large order withdrew over 50,000 tonnes from warehouses. Market participants are growing increasingly concerned about supply shortages in the industry. Other base metals showed mixed performance, with aluminum, nickel, and tin edging lower while zinc and lead rose.
The gold market also experienced significant gains, surging by as much as 1.7% to break through $4,680 per ounce for its highest intraday level since mid-May. This marks the third consecutive week of gold price increases, driven in part by US Treasury's efforts to control borrowing costs and concerns about inflation and a weakening dollar.
Ray Dalio, billionaire investor and founder of Bridgewater Associates, weighed in on the situation last week, advising investors to reduce bond holdings and allocate no more than 15% of their capital to gold as a hedge against potential US debt crisis risks. He believes such a crisis will erupt within approximately three years.