Copper and iron ore prices hit record highs Friday as demand for the key commodities surges on the back of a powerful recovery in the global economy, though Asian equity markets struggled to maintain an early rally ahead of a keenly awaited US jobs report.
With major economies led by the United States and China reopening after last year's shutdowns, industries are ramping up production, pushing the cost of materials ever higher as traders also worry about a lack of supply caused by the pandemic.
Copper, a major indicator of the state of the global economy owing to its use in a multitude of products, finally broke to an all-time high above $10,200 per tonne Friday, and with the global recovery expected to continue for some time, analysts say the price can continue north.
"It's hard to foresee copper prices turning around amid the current bullish atmosphere," Ji Xianfei, at Guotai Junan Futures Co, said.
And Commerzbank AG analyst Daniel Briesemann added: "The long-term prospects for metals prices are 'too good' and point to higher prices in the next few years.
"The decarbonisation trends in many countries -- which include switching to electric vehicles and expanding wind and solar power -- are likely to generate additional demand for metals."
Iron ore also broke to new levels, hitting $205 a tonne as commodities prices across the board advance, with lumber, tin, bacon and sugar all sharply higher.
However, that has fanned fears about a spike in inflation around the world that many warn could force central banks to wind back their ultra-loose monetary policies that have helped fire a global markets rally for more than a year.
Top bankers --led by the Federal Reserve have repeatedly pledged to maintain their accommodative measures for the foreseeable future, though many believe its hand could be forced by a period of excessively high inflation.
Eyes are now on the release of US jobs figures later in the day, which will be the latest indicator of the state of the world's top economy.
They come a day after a forecast-beating reading on unemployment benefits that showed claims fell to their lowest since the coronavirus struck last year, and two days on from news that 742,000 new jobs were created in the private sector in April.
"With jobless claims hitting a pandemic-era low, anticipation for the full jobs picture... mounts," said Mike Loewengart, of E*Trade Financial.
The reading "is another proof point that we're one step closer to full economic recovery. As we see some serious momentum building on the jobs front, all eyes will be on how this plays into action taken by the Fed."
National Australia Bank's Rodrigo Catril was bullish on the outlook for the jobs markets, saying in a report that "it seems reasonable to suggest further declines in claims should be expected".
The positive jobs readings helped propel the Dow to a new record on Wall Street, while the S&P 500 also rose and the Nasdaq ended a four-day retreat.
Iron ore prices are sitting at a record high as demand in major economies picks up Photo: RIO TINTO / AFP
But Asia struggled to maintain its early promise with markets paring morning gains or falling into the red. Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Mumbai and Bangkok all rose but Hong Kong, Shanghai, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta fell.
London, Paris and Frankfurt rose.
There was little reaction to figures showing Chinese exports soared far more than expected last month thanks to a burst in demand as economies reopen, while imports saw their biggest rise in 10 years as domestic consumers returned to a form of normality.
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.1 percent at 29,357.82 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.1 percent at 28,610.65 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.7 percent at 3,184.87 (close)
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,100.00
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.2081 from $1.2061 at 2105 GMT
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3924 from $1.3890
Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.77 pence from 86.80 pence
Dollar/yen: UP at 109.16 yen from 109.09 yen
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.6 percent at $65.10 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: UP at $68.50 per barrel
New York - Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 34,548.53 (close)
