11:00 AM EDT, 09/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Copper prices fell 1% over the past week to $4.49, driven by weak economic data from China

and profit-taking weighed on the market, despite looming supply concerns and central bank policy, RBC Capital Markets said Tuesday.

According to RBC, downbeat data on China's factory output and retail sales in August, which showed the weakest growth since last year, reinforced concerns over tepid demand from the world's largest copper consumer.

Traders also scaled back positions ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate decision, pushing prices

to a one-week low, with muted buying interest from China adding to the cautious sentiment, RBC said.

The Fed reduced rates on Wednesday by 25bps, and indicated more cuts could follow given a softening labor market, sparking further profit-taking. However, the temporary suspension of operations at Freeport's Grasberg mine in Indonesia highlighted concerns over supply constraints, which could support near-term prices, RBC said.

Freeport's said suspension of operations is expected to continue after authorities recovered the bodies of two workers, while search for the remaining workers continues.

As a result, the supply-side risks could further tighten the market in the days and weeks ahead, RBC said.

Price: 2.95, Change: +0.06, Percent Change: +2.08