Copper

Copper is the third most consumed industrial metal, used in a range of manufacturing products and everyday items. Its low price point compared to silver and gold also make it an attractive metal to trade online. This copper trading tutorial covers live charts, market economics, and strategy tips. Our team have also ranked the top copper brokers:

Best Copper Brokers UK

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    Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
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    Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30
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    Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a reputable broker publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. It holds authorisation from top-tier regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, and CIRO. The brokerage, which has received multiple awards, boasts a global membership exceeding one million traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA Web, MT4, TradingView
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
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    Founded in 2006, FxPro has built a reputation as a reliable non-dealing desk (NDD) broker, providing trading access across more than 2,100 markets to over 2 million clients globally. It has received over 100 industry awards, reflecting its favourable conditions for active traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Spread Betting FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
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    Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
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    eToro, a leading multi-asset platform, provides access to trading services across thousands of CFDs, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. Established in 2007, it boasts millions of active traders worldwide and is sanctioned by top-tier regulators such as the FCA and CySEC. It stands out for its extensive social trading feature. Crypto investments are unstable and carry risk. Tax implications might apply. Acknowledge the risks involved. 61% of retail CFD accounts incur losses.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $50 $10 1:30
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    Fusion Markets, an online broker since 2017, operates under the regulation of ASIC, VFSC, and FSA. Renowned for offering cost-effective forex and CFD trading, it provides various account options and copy trading solutions to suit diverse trading needs. New clients can begin trading with a simple three-step registration process.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto ASIC, VFSC, FSA MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:500

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Copper are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Safety Comparison
Broker Trust Rating FCA Regulated Negative Balance Protection Guaranteed Stop Loss Segregated Accounts
Pepperstone 4.6
XTB 4.6
CMC Markets 4.8
FXPro 4.4
IG Index 4.9
eToro 4.5
Fusion Markets 3.5

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Copper support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Payments Comparison
Broker GBP Account Debit Card Credit Card Neteller Skrill Apple Pay
Pepperstone
XTB
CMC Markets
FXPro
IG Index
eToro
Fusion Markets

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Copper at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Mobile Trading Comparison
Broker Mobile Apps iOS Rating Android Rating Smart Watch App
Pepperstone iOS & Android 4.4 4.1
XTB iOS & Android 4.7 4.1
CMC Markets iOS & Android 4.1 3.7
FXPro iOS & Android 4.7 4.3
IG Index iOS & Android 4.6 4
eToro iOS & Android 4 3.8
Fusion Markets iOS & Android 4.8 4.4

Beginners Comparison

Are the Copper good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Beginners Comparison
Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Support Rating Education Rating
Pepperstone $0 0.01 Lots 4.6 4
XTB $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 3.8
CMC Markets $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 4.3
FXPro $100 0.01 Lots 4 4
IG Index $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 5
eToro $50 $10 2.5 4
Fusion Markets $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 1.3

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Copper offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Advanced Trading Comparison
Broker Automated Trading Pro Account Leverage VPS AI Low Latency Extended Hours
Pepperstone Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
XTB Open API 1:30
CMC Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
FXPro Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
IG Index Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
eToro Automate your trades via CopyTrader - follow profitable traders. Open and close trades automatically when they do. 1:30
Fusion Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader 1:500

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Copper.

Detailed Rating Comparison
Broker Trust Platforms Mobile Assets Fees Accounts Support Research Education
Pepperstone 4.6 4.4 4.3 3.8 4.5 4 4.6 4.3 4
XTB 4.6 4 4.4 4 4.3 4 4.3 4.1 3.8
CMC Markets 4.8 4.3 3.9 4.6 4.3 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3
FXPro 4.4 4.3 4.5 4 4 3.8 4 4 4
IG Index 4.9 4.9 4.3 4.5 3.5 4 4.5 4.9 5
eToro 4.5 2.8 3.9 3.8 3.3 4 2.5 4.3 4
Fusion Markets 3.5 4 4.6 3.3 4.4 4 4.5 3.5 1.3

Our Take On Pepperstone

"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.
  • Pepperstone offers rapid execution speeds of approximately 30ms, enabling swift order processing and execution, making it ideal for traders.
  • The award-winning customer support can be accessed through phone, email, or live chat. During tests, response times have consistently been under 5 minutes.

Cons

  • Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
  • Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
  • Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.

Our Take On XTB

"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."

Pros

  • Setting up an XTB account is straightforward and fully online, requiring only a few minutes. This simplicity eases new traders into the world of trading.
  • XTB ensures swift access to funds, providing fast withdrawals with same-day payments for requests made before 1 pm.
  • XTB has raised its interest rate on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering access to 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse investment opportunities.

Cons

  • Trading fees are competitive, with average EUR/USD spreads of about 1 pip. However, they are not as low as the most affordable brokers, such as IC Markets. Additionally, an inactivity fee applies after a year.
  • XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
  • The research tools at XTB are commendable but have the potential to excel further. Enhancing them with access to top-tier third-party services like Autochartist, Trading Central, and TipRanks would significantly elevate their offering.

Our Take On CMC Markets

"Equipped with advanced charts and a broad array of tradable CFDs, including an unmatched selection of currencies and bespoke indices, CMC Markets offers an excellent online platform for traders at any level."

Pros

  • The CMC web platform offers an exceptional user experience with sophisticated charting tools for trading and customisable options, suitable for both novice and seasoned traders. It supports MT4 but not MT5, and TradingView will be available from 2025.
  • We've upgraded the 'Assets & Markets' rating due to frequent product enhancements in early 2025. These include extended trading hours for US stocks and the introduction of new share CFDs.
  • CMC Markets is well-regulated by respected financial authorities, ensuring a secure and reliable trading environment. It upholds a strong reputation, providing traders with confidence.

Cons

  • The CMC Markets app provides a comprehensive trading package; however, its design and user experience lag behind market leaders such as eToro.
  • A monthly inactivity charge of $10 is imposed after a year's inactivity, potentially discouraging occasional traders.
  • Although there have been improvements, the online platform still needs further refinement to match the user-friendly trading experience offered by competitors such as IG.

Our Take On FXPro

"FxPro is an excellent choice for traders, offering swift execution speeds under 12ms, reduced fees since 2022, and outstanding charting platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge."

Pros

  • FxPro provides four dependable charting platforms, including the user-friendly FxPro Edge. It features more than 50 indicators, 7 types of charts, and 15 different timeframes.
  • FxPro uses a 'No Dealing Desk' (NDD) model for swift and transparent order execution, usually within 12 milliseconds, making it well-suited for short-term trading strategies.
  • FxPro's Wallet is a notable feature enabling traders to securely manage their funds. It ensures additional protection and ease by separating unused funds from active trading accounts.

Cons

  • There are no passive investment options such as copy trading or interest on cash. While traders might not find these essential, competitors like eToro, which accommodate both active and passive investors, offer more extensive services.
  • FxPro, with its $10M funded demo account and expanding Knowledge Hub, mainly caters to experienced traders. Beginners might find its account and fee structure challenging to understand.
  • FxPro offers customer support five days a week around the clock, accessible via various platforms, and the service quality is reliable based on tests. However, the absence of weekend support can be a drawback for traders requiring help beyond standard market times.

Our Take On IG Index

"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."

Pros

  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.
  • The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
  • The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.

Cons

  • Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
  • IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
  • In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.

Our Take On eToro

"eToro's social trading platform excels with its outstanding user experience and lively community chat, aiding beginners in spotting opportunities. It offers competitive fees on numerous CFDs and real stocks, alongside exceptional rewards for seasoned strategists."

Pros

  • eToro has launched automated crypto staking, offering a pathway to passive income. However, Ethereum requires users to opt in.
  • The trading app offers an exceptional social platform, featuring an interactive feed and community chat.
  • The broker offers excellent services for beginners, featuring commission-free stock trading, a low minimum deposit, and an unlimited demo account.

Cons

  • There are no assured stop-loss orders, which could be a valuable risk management tool for novice traders.
  • The absence of extra charting platforms such as MT4 may deter experienced traders who rely on external software.
  • The minimum withdrawal is set at $30, accompanied by a $5 fee. This may impact traders with limited funds, particularly those just starting out.

Our Take On Fusion Markets

"Fusion Markets offers forex traders competitive pricing with minimal spreads, low commissions, and new TradingView integration. It is an excellent choice, especially for Australian traders, given its base and regulation by ASIC."

Pros

  • Fusion Markets provides exceptional support, characterised by rapid, friendly, and efficient responses. Unlike other platforms, it doesn't utilise automated chatbots, ensuring traders experience a seamless interaction.
  • Fusion Markets consistently impresses traders with its competitive pricing, featuring tight spreads and lower-than-average commissions. These cost-effective options are particularly attractive to those engaging in frequent trading.
  • Fusion Markets provides algo traders with a sponsored VPS and offers a 25% discount for choosing the NYC Servers VPS for MT4 or cTrader.

Cons

  • The broker stands out with its extensive selection of currency pairs, surpassing most competitors. However, its alternative investment options are merely average, lacking stock CFDs outside the US.
  • Traders from outside Australia need to register with loosely regulated international firms that offer limited protection, lacking both safeguards and negative balance protection.
  • Unlike AvaTrade, there is no specialised trading platform or app tailored for beginners, which is a significant disadvantage.

Copper Trading Basics

Copper was the first metal used by humans thousands of years ago. Today, its use cases span building construction, electric generators, wiring in cars, appliances, and computers, plus jewellery like belt buckles. As the best non-precious metal conductor of electricity, the global telecommunication network depends heavily on the soft metal.

The global copper market was valued at $291 billion in 2021, with forecasts that it will grow to $447 billion by 2030. The largest market share is held by the Asia-Pacific region with around 67%. This is driven predominantly by consumption in China.

The largest copper companies in the world include Glencore, BHP Biliton and LS-Nikko Co. Having said this, the largest copper mining company by production is Codelco, a Chilean-owned firm. The company produced around 1.7 million metric tonnes of the commodity in 2021.

Importantly for traders, a copper deficit may be a prominent issue across global markets throughout 2025 and beyond, fuelled by challenging supply issues in South America alongside increased demand. Chile produces the most copper in the world, accounting for 27% of the global supply. However, it reported a 7% decrease in volumes for 2022. This, alongside protests and political unrest in Peru (another major producer), has resulted in further declines in supply.

Price Chart

Note, the trading symbol for copper may vary between online brokers.

What Influences The Price Of Copper?

Economic Health

The copper trading price is largely influenced by the health of the global economy due to its use in nearly all sectors, including construction, electronics, heating, and electricity. Some even refer to the commodity as ‘Dr Copper’. If the economy experiences growth, the price of copper typically rises due to increased demand.

Given the large demand for copper in China, the price of the commodity is particularly linked to the country’s economy. For example, prices saw an uptick in early 2023 as China came out of tough lockdown measures following the COVID-19 pandemic, though this subsided somewhat as fear in the banking sector spread to other asset classes.

Supply & Demand

Any changes in production volumes can have a significant impact on the availability of copper and therefore market prices. This includes any political and environmental issues in copper-producing regions.

For example, there was a spike in the price of the commodity following the 2015 earthquake in Chile, the world’s largest supplier. More recently, Peru has been rocked with political and civil unrest leading to Glencore, one of the largest global natural resource companies, suspending its mining operations in a key location in January 2023.

China

Changes in key markets will have a strong influence on the lb copper price. Again, Chinese demand will continue to play a pivotal role in the price of copper.

The country is undertaking several initiatives, which are likely to increase their demand for the metal. This includes upgrading to higher efficiency vehicles, green manufacturing activities, and the concept of ‘smart factories’.

How To Trade Copper

The best copper trading brokers offer several investing vehicles:

CFDs

One of the most popular ways to trade copper is via CFDs. Contracts for difference are an agreement between two parties (trader and broker) to exchange the price difference of copper between the entry and exit points. CFDs allow retail investors to try and profit from both upward or downward price movements.

Margin trading can also be used to amplify position sizes. Admiral Markets, for example, offers copper CFDs with leverage of 1:10, meaning you can borrow 10x more than you put down.

Note that when trading CFDs, you do not own the underlying asset, in this case, copper. Margin requirements may also vary between platforms.

Stocks

Another way to gain exposure to copper trading is by purchasing stocks in companies involved in the industry.

This could include organisations involved in the production and exploration of the metal such as Southern Copper Corp and Taseko Mines Ltd. Alternatively, Antofagasta is the UK’s largest copper mining company which trades on the FTSE 100.

Futures

Investors can trade copper futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), the London Metal Exchange (LME), and the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX). With this type of contract, you speculate on the price of the commodity at a set date and time in the future.

The London Metal Exchange, for example, offers trading on Copper A Grade futures with prices quoted in dollars per tonne with sizes of 25 tonnes.

ETFs

An ETF is another investment product offered by online brokers. Exchange-traded funds are typically structured to mirror a specific market segment. You can directly trade funds that contain metal-producing companies or gain exposure to copper alongside a basket of other assets, including additional metals.

Popular ETFs include the iPath Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total and the United States Copper Index Fund (CPER).

Spot Market

Spot trading copper involves purchasing or selling the commodity at the current market price.

Also sometimes available with leverage, IG Index for instance, offers copper spot trading with a minimum size of 0.25 and leverage up to 1:10.

Comparing Copper Trading Brokers

Consider the following factors when doing a comparison of the best copper brokers:

Assets & Vehicles

How can you trade copper? Does the broker offer CFDs, futures, spread bets, plus suitable stocks and ETFs? Also consider access to other assets so you can build a diverse trading portfolio, such as cryptos.

Interactive Brokers, for example, offer copper futures on the London Metal Exchange alongside OTC contracts on aluminium, lead, tin, nickel, and zinc. The platform also offers thousands of stocks and forex instruments.

Fees

Tight spreads and no/low commission copper trading brokers should rank highly. Also check for any non-trading costs, such as deposit/withdrawal charges and account maintenance fees.

CMC Markets, for example, offers copper trading with a 0.2 minimum spread, no minimum deposit, and zero deposit fees. The minimum order size is 200.

Resources

The best copper trading brokers will offer expert analysis. XTB, for example, offers regular market reports and insights on copper trading economics and fundamentals.

Also look for educational content and materials that cover investing basics and popular trading strategies. Many leading firms also offer copy trading tools, allowing users to mirror the trades of other investors.

XTB Market News - Copper

XTB Market News – Copper Prices

Trading Platform

Brokers that offer copper trading may provide a range of platform options, including proprietary terminals, mobile apps, and third-party tools like TradingView. Look for custom copper trading charts and graphs, price history, signals, alerts, watchlists, and news streams.

Tip: a demo account is a good way to test a broker’s platform and app before investing money.

Regulation

Leading copper trading brokers in the UK will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The regulator requires that client funds are held separately from business money and that negative balance protection is provided for retail traders, amongst other safety features.

IG Index, for example, is authorised by the FCA and offers various copper instruments, including futures and ETFs.

Trading Hours

Copper trading hours will depend on the opening times of the metal exchange and online brokerage.

The London Metal Exchange is open Monday to Friday from 01:00 to 19:00 GMT. There is no pre-market trading or after-hours trading, and there is no closure for lunch. XTB offers copper CFDs from 08:30 to 19:30 GMT.

Bottom Line On Trading Copper

Copper is the third-most used industrial metal. Its application spreads across almost every sector and its value is affected by multiple factors, including global economic health, demand and supply in producing regions, plus large quantity consuming countries like China. The variety of vehicles also means investors can adopt both short and long-term copper trading strategies.

To start trading online, see our list of the best copper brokers and platforms.

FAQ

How Can I Invest In Copper?

There are several ways to invest in copper including via futures, contracts for difference (CFDs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and stocks of companies involved in the mining/production, distribution and use of the soft metal. The best copper trading brokers offer a choice of vehicles and services to suit different trading timeframes and strategies.

What Are The Major Copper Trading Markets?

The main copper trading markets are the London Metal Exchange (LME), the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), and the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX).

The largest miners and producers of copper include Chile, Peru, Congo, China and the US. The largest consumers of the soft metal are China, the US and Europe.

What Are The Best Copper Stocks?

Popular copper stocks include Lundin Mining Corp (Canadian), Glencore (Swiss), BHP Biliton (Australian) and LS-Nikko Co (South Korean). These companies are all major players in the mining, production and distribution of copper. Many of these firms also have operations in other metals.

What Are The LME Copper Trading Hours?

The London Metal Exchange (LME) opening times are Monday to Friday from 01:00 to 19:00 GMT. Note, copper brokers and platforms may set their own trading times. IG Index, for instance, offers online copper trading Monday to Friday from 02:02 to 18:59 GMT.

Is Copper Worth Buying?

Copper has several characteristics that make it popular with an intraday trading strategy and longer-term investing approach. Firstly, commodities like copper are often seen as a ‘safe bet’ during times of economic uncertainty and market turbulence. Copper tends to maintain its value due to the relative stability of supply and demand.

The value of copper also tends to follow the global economy due to its applications in almost all sectors. It is also playing a key role in renewable technology and the move away from fossil fuels, which helped drive up prices in 2023. Similarly, if the construction industry or housing market is booming, the price of copper tends to rise.

Which Is The Best Copper Trading Broker?

There are several top-rated copper trading brokers in the UK, including Pepperstone, XTB and CMC Markets. These platforms are all FCA-regulated, offer tight spreads and/or low commissions, plus leverage up to 1:10 on copper. Alternatively, see our full list of copper trading brokers.

Article Sources

  1. World Economic Forum
  2. Statista
  3. XTB