Copper as an investment in 2026: How to invest, returns compared to gold and silver; all you need to know

While the whole world swooned over gold and silver in 2025, a lesser-appreciated metal/commodity stole the show: Copper, a crucial metal with high industrial demand from new technologies, delivered over 60% returns in the previous calendar year.

To be fair, it’s not on par with gold and silver’s 77% and 169% returns, respectively; copper futures on the MCX still outperformed major NIFTY indices in terms of returns and turned out to be extremely profitable for investors.

Interestingly, copper is often referred to as Dr Copper, because its price and demand indicate how the global economy is doing. As it is essential in many industries, including construction, power, EVs, renewable energy and infrastructure, it's a strategic metal that predicts trends.

To keep it simple, a strong economy boosts copper demand, while a weak one reduces it. However, copper prices also fluctuate because of speculation, supply concerns and geopolitical events.

In 2025, the movement in copper prices was more on the back of global dynamics than it was due to a strong global economy.

Before you jump to invest in copper, there are some things you should keep in mind, especially the metal’s volatility as an investment. Let’s look at copper as an investment option in 2026, and how exactly you can make it a part of your portfolio this year.

Copper investments: Key things to consider

While copper has potential for strong long-term demand due to its use in EVs, renewables and other industries, it’s still a risky investment due to volatility in the market.

Copper prices can move sharply due to economic data, geopolitical events and policy developments in major copper-producing countries like Chile and Peru or disruptions in countries with high copper consumption such as China.

Many experts suggest that investing in copper is tricky for retail investors, and a diversified portfolio with a small allocation to copper can still do well over the long run.

How to invest in copper in India?

Retail investors can’t directly invest in copper because it’s not as easily accessible as silver and gold. For the precious yellow and white metals, individuals can buy jewellery, coins, and can even invest through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). However, copper ETFs aren’t available in India. So how can Indians invest in copper then?

Currently, Indian investors do not have the option to directly invest in copper as there is no dedicated copper ETF or mutual fund. However, investors can choose to invest in international fund-of-funds (FoF), global mining companies, or stocks of mining companies in India.

Copper returns compared to gold and silver

Copper jumped 62.83% last year, rising from around ₹793.85 per kg on January 1, 2025 to around ₹1,292.50 per kg on January 1, 2026. During the same period, silver prices rose by 169.32% from ₹87,578 per kg to ₹2,35,873 per kg, while gold soared 76.6%, rising from ₹76,893 per 10 gram to ₹1,35,804 per 10 gram.

Remember to carefully consider the risks of investing in copper, including the volatility of commodity markets and other associated risks. Choose the most suitable investment option for you as per your needs, investment objective and return expectations.