A netizen commented: "If you buy it to hoard, who are you going to sell it to?" On January 21st, the hashtag "#ShuibeiBansCopperBars#" trended on social media.
Recently, following gold and silver bars, another metal variety has gained popularity on social platforms—"investment copper bars." On the afternoon of January 20th, a reporter visited multiple trading centers in the Shenzhen Shuibei market and found that "investment copper bars" were not publicly displayed on counters. One merchant stated that the market management had issued a clear notice: "Sale of copper bars is prohibited; any found on counters must be removed immediately!"
However, some merchants indicated that copper bars had "only just started being sold in the last couple of days." If there was demand, one could "pay first, and then someone else would deliver the goods." Another merchant mentioned: "Currently, all copper bars are for pre-ordered customers; there is no extra (spot inventory). The minimum order is one kilogram, 180 yuan per bar (1000 grams), and we have to wait for the factory's notification (on how many days until delivery)."
Under the related topic, some netizens commented: "If you buy it to hoard, who are you going to sell it to?" Others joked: "Better hurry up and create an investment spicy strip too."
Previous reports indicated that earlier this month, many merchants in markets like Jinzuo, Yinzuo, and Teli had tentatively launched investment copper bars with 99.99% purity. The specifications included 500 grams and 1000 grams, though the 1000-gram bar was more common. The quoted price for a 1000-gram investment copper bar ranged from 180 yuan to 280 yuan.
According to the 21st Century Business Herald, one merchant had stated: "It's fine if you buy it to play around with yourself, but don't buy it for investment. We generally don't recommend it, but if you insist on buying, we will sell it."
Furthermore, when a media reporter asked merchants if they would buy back the copper bars if a customer wanted to sell them later, some merchants directly waved their hands saying "we can't buy them back," while others indicated that if one wanted to liquidate copper bars, the only channel was through scrap recycling stations.
According to Orange Persimmon Interactive, the biggest difference between copper and gold or silver is that gold and silver inherently possess safe-haven and monetary attributes, whereas the metal copper does not; its value is primarily driven by industrial demand. For instance, copper accounts for about 30% of an air conditioner's cost. "Therefore, copper is not suitable for personal investment."
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