Copper prices fell sharply on May 15, 2026, amid a broad industrial metals sell-off. COMEX copper futures dropped as much as 4.8% during intraday trading. London Metal Exchange prices also declined significantly.
A strengthening U.S. dollar and rising Treasury yields pressured dollar-denominated commodities.
Market sentiment soured following the inconclusive U.S.-China summit. The lack of trade breakthroughs revived global economic growth concerns. These fears weighed on copper due to its ties to industrial and manufacturing demand.