Copper and aluminum extended declines, giving back part of this week’s gains, as hopes for a conditional Israel‑Lebanon ceasefire — potentially a step toward wider de‑escalation but contingent on Hezbollah standing down — left Middle East prospects uncertain. Ongoing US efforts led by Trump to negotiate with Iran also fed volatility. ING analysts said recent price moves remain sensitive to macro risk and that Middle East uncertainty is a headwind. A technology-sector pullback added to pressure;

Copper and aluminum extended declines, giving back part of this week’s gains, as hopes for a conditional Israel‑Lebanon ceasefire — potentially a step toward wider de‑escalation but contingent on Hezbollah standing down — left Middle East prospects uncertain. Ongoing US efforts led by Trump to negotiate with Iran also fed volatility. ING analysts said recent price moves remain sensitive to macro risk and that Middle East uncertainty is a headwind. A technology-sector pullback added to pressure; copper’s earlier support from AI‑driven demand for power infrastructure weakened after the S&P 500’s nine‑day streak ended and Korea’s KOSPI, an AI barometer, slid as much as 2.6% on Thursday.