Copper prices fell on Friday on the back of bleak economic data from China, the world’s largest metals consumer, although losses were limited by a weaker dollar and hopes that the data would prompt Beijing to roll out more stimulus measures.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.4% to $9,730 a metric ton in official trading, retreating from Tuesday’s two-week high.

Friday’s data showed China’s factory output growth slowed to its weakest in eight months in July, while retail sales growth also decelerated sharply.

Shanghai copper futures fell 0.1% to 79,060 yuan ($11,008.23) a ton.

Neil Welsh, head of metals at Britannia Global Markets, said: “In the context of base metals, these indicators point to weak demand, which could weigh on metal consumption and prices amid concerns over a slowdown in China’s economy.”

However, prices found support on hopes that the weak data would increase pressure on Chinese policymakers to introduce more measures to boost domestic demand.

A weaker US dollar also supported the market, as investors remained cautious ahead of import price data. A weaker dollar lowers the cost of dollar-priced commodities for buyers using other currencies.

US copper futures on Comex fell 0.1% to $4.48 a pound by 12:25 GMT, putting Comex’s premium over LME copper at $127 a ton, or 1.3%.

Among other metals, aluminium on the LME fell 0.7% in official trading to $2,601.50 a ton, zinc lost 1.3% to $2,813, lead dropped 0.3% to $1,984, while nickel rose 0.3% to $15,075, and tin gained 0.3% to $33,550.

Bitcoin prices fell on Friday after hitting record highs above $124,000 in the previous session, as higher-than-expected US producer price inflation dented hopes for a sharp Federal Reserve rate cut next month.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency was last down 2.2% at $119,112.5 at 02:04 a.m. Eastern Time (06:04 GMT). It had surged in the previous session to an all-time high of $124,436.8, but dropped sharply following the release of the producer price index data.

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, also fell after touching record levels in the previous session.

Investors reassess rate-cut bets after inflation data

US Labor Department data on Thursday showed producer prices rose 0.9% month-on-month in July — the biggest increase since June 2022 and far above analysts’ expectations of a 0.2% rise.

This upside surprise reignited inflation fears and reduced the odds of a large September rate cut by the Fed.

Money markets trimmed bets on a 50-basis-point cut in September, shifting toward a 25-basis-point move, with traders assigning roughly a 90% probability to such a step after the PPI data.

This adjustment in expectations helped push the US dollar higher, weighing on risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Crypto markets had rallied earlier in the week on the back of softer-than-expected consumer inflation data, renewed institutional participation, and momentum from political developments seen as supportive for digital assets.

Trump-backed crypto firm seeks acquisitions in Asia

The Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter, that “American Bitcoin” — a US crypto mining company backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump — is seeking acquisitions in Asia to build Bitcoin reserves, following a strategy similar to Michael Saylor’s.

The report said the company is targeting the purchase of a listed firm in Japan and possibly in Hong Kong to consolidate cryptocurrencies. “American Bitcoin” is set to list on the stock exchange in September via a reverse merger with Gryphon Digital Mining. The firm confirmed it is exploring “viable expansion opportunities” overseas but has not made binding commitments yet.

Other cryptocurrency prices today

Most altcoins fell on Friday after sharp gains earlier in the week.

Ethereum fell 2.9% to $4,639.89 after nearing record highs in the previous session.

Ripple — the world’s third-largest cryptocurrency — dropped 4.1% to $3.13.

Oil prices fell on Friday as traders awaited the anticipated talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which some expect could lead to easing sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war.

Brent crude futures fell by 50 cents, or 0.8%, to $66.34 a barrel by 09:23 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures declined by 57 cents, or 0.9%, to $63.39 a barrel.

The issue of a ceasefire in Ukraine tops the agenda for Friday’s meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska. Trump has said he believes Russia is ready to end the war, but at the same time has threatened to impose secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil if peace talks make no progress.

Giovanni Staunovo, commodity analyst at UBS, said: “The market is watching to see whether there will be a ceasefire agreement or not. Ceasefire expectations imply an increase in Russian production. The question is: will there be escalation or de-escalation?” He noted that even if an agreement is reached, lifting sanctions on Russia would take longer as it would require US Congress approval.

Over the week, WTI is on track for a 0.7% decline, while Brent is set for a slight gain of 0.4%.

Also on Friday, weaker-than-expected economic data from China raised concerns about fuel demand. Chinese government data showed industrial output growth slowed to its weakest in eight months, while retail sales growth posted its slowest pace since December, weighing on sentiment despite higher oil refining rates in the world’s second-largest crude consumer.

China’s refinery output rose 8.9% year-on-year in July but fell from June levels, which had been the highest since September 2023. Despite the increase, China’s exports of petroleum products rose last month compared with a year earlier, indicating weak domestic fuel demand.

The market was also pressured by expectations of a growing oil supply surplus, alongside prospects for US interest rates remaining high for longer. Analysts at Bank of America said in a Thursday note that they had widened their forecast for a surplus in the oil market, citing increased supply from the OPEC+ alliance, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia, and other allies.

Analysts now expect an average surplus of 890,000 barrels per day between July 2025 and June 2026, in line with earlier estimates from the International Energy Agency this week, which said the oil market appears “oversupplied” following production increases from OPEC+.

The US dollar fell on Friday as investors remained cautious about interest rate expectations ahead of the release of import price data, after recent figures suggested inflation could accelerate in the coming months.

The Japanese yen outperformed the euro and the pound sterling after unexpectedly strong growth data from Japan showed that export volumes remained steady despite the new US tariffs.

Attention is turning to a meeting later on Friday in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, amid doubts about the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.

US import price data will receive more attention than usual after Thursday’s data showed a sharp and unexpected rise in producer prices last month, which had pushed the dollar higher.

If import prices continue to rise, it may indicate that US companies are bearing the full burden of tariffs, leaving them with two options: pass the costs on to consumers—potentially fueling inflation—or reduce their profit margins.

Financial markets are pricing in a 95% chance of a 25-basis-point US interest rate cut in September. Before Thursday’s data, markets had already priced in such a cut and a 5% probability of a larger 50-basis-point cut.

Markets are also awaiting next week’s Jackson Hole symposium for clearer signals on the Fed’s next move, as signs of weakness in the US labor market, coupled with inflationary pressures from trade tariffs, could pose a dilemma for the interest rate path.

The yen rose by 0.4% against the dollar to 147.20 yen, supported by data showing the Japanese economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter.

Remarks earlier this week by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent—who said the Bank of Japan might be “behind” in addressing inflation risks—also helped the yen.

Jane Foley, head of FX strategy at Rabobank, said: “Although Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda may dismiss Bessent’s remarks, Japanese authorities will not want the yen’s exchange rate to become a bigger concern for the Trump administration than it already is.”

The euro rose by 0.25% against the dollar to $1.1675, with most analysts expecting the single European currency to benefit from any ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.

Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING, said: “The Trump-Putin meeting and any greater clarity on the future course of the conflict in Ukraine have longer-term implications for the euro than for the dollar,” adding: “There’s a chance today could be the first step toward de-escalation, and markets may move cautiously now.”

The pound sterling rose by 0.20% against the dollar to $1.3553, while the Australian dollar gained 0.2% to $0.6508.

The Chinese yuan retreated from a two-week high as sentiment weakened due to weaker-than-expected economic data.

In cryptocurrency markets, both Bitcoin and Ethereum rose after falling by about 4% each on Thursday. Bitcoin had touched a record high earlier on Thursday amid shifting expectations for US interest rate cuts.