Copper is benefiting from long-term structural demand drivers, including demand for electric vehicles, electric grid build-out, data center expansion, and constrained new supply, and UBS lifted its price forecasts for 2026, 2027, and 2028 by 13%, 4%, and 3%, respectively, the Australian Financial Review reported on Friday.

UBS lifted its long-term copper price assumption to $5.50 per pound, in real terms, with higher prices required to incentivize new supply. Analyst Levi Spry said industry conditions are worsening on the supply side.

It upgraded Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) to a buy recommendation and Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR) to a neutral recommendation.

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