0848 GMT - Copper prices fall back below $13,000 on signs of softer demand, with futures on the London Metals Exchange down 0.5% to $12,973 a metric ton. Inventories have begun to rise in LME warehouses in Asia, signaling softer consumption, while additional supplies are expected after traders redirected spot cargoes from Africa into China to exploit a brief arbitrage opportunity between Shanghai and London prices, according to ANZ Research. Sentiment was further weighed down by a forecast from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association that refined copper output will rise about 5% this year, following a 10% increase in 2025, analysts at ANZ say. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 05, 2026 03:48 ET (08:48 GMT)

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