
The copper gold ratio chart is a powerful tool for investors and traders looking to stay ahead of the market. The chart shows the ratio of copper to gold prices, which can help identify trends and patterns in the market.
Historically, the copper gold ratio has been a reliable indicator of market trends. In the 1970s, for example, the ratio was around 1:1, indicating that copper and gold were trading at similar prices.
A significant shift occurred in the 1980s, when the ratio began to rise, indicating a decrease in the price of copper relative to gold. This trend continued until the 2000s, when the ratio began to decline, indicating a rebound in copper prices.
The current copper gold ratio is around 100:1, indicating a significant increase in the price of gold relative to copper.
Understanding the Copper-Gold Ratio
The copper-gold ratio is a key indicator that institutional asset managers use to gauge the 10-year Treasury yield. It's calculated by dividing the price of copper per pound by the price of gold per troy ounce.

Historically, the copper-gold ratio has been a reliable predictor of the 10-year Treasury yield's direction, particularly when discrepancies arise. The ratio's trajectory, not its absolute level, holds significance.
A strong dollar can have a tightening effect on global economic activities, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) analysis. This is reflected in the negative correlation between the dollar and both copper and gold futures prices.
The dollar's appreciation relative to local currencies increases commodity prices for non-dollar buyers. This is evident in the correlation coefficient of –0.10 between copper futures and the Dollar Index.
Copper and gold prices are both dollar-denominated commodities, which means they're influenced by the dollar's value. However, the ratio of gold and copper largely neutralizes this effect, resulting in a –0.01 correlation with the Dollar Index.
This makes the copper-gold ratio a useful tool for investors, particularly those focused on the 10-year Treasury yield.
Copper vs. Gold
Gold and copper tend to move in the same direction a majority of the time, but copper is more volatile and sensitive to price swings.
The copper market reacts to fundamental trends more quickly than gold, which makes sense given that copper is used for industrial consumption.
More than two-thirds of the world's copper goes directly into building construction and electronics, whereas gold is often stored and transferred between vaults.
The value of gold is more likely to be shaped by interest rates and inflation expectations rather than by noticeable swings in production and consumption.
A 1-year rolling correlation coefficient between the price of copper and gold shows periods of positive and negative correlation, but also periods where the prices didn't change, resulting in a standard deviation of zero.
Diversification, the practice of spreading investments across different assets, can reduce risk by using 15-20 uncorrelated return streams, as Ray Dalio realized in his book Principles.
Copper-Gold Ratio and Market Factors
The copper-gold ratio is a valuable metric that provides insights into the relative value of copper compared to gold at any given time. It's calculated by dividing the current price of copper per ounce by the current price of gold per ounce.

A higher copper to gold ratio indicates that copper is relatively more expensive than gold, suggesting increased industrial demand and a positive outlook for economic growth. This is often observed in strong and vibrant global economies where copper-driven industries thrive.
The copper to gold ratio is often regarded as a leading indicator for interest rates. According to simple macroeconomic models, an increase in real gross domestic product will cause an increase in average interest rates in an economy.
Here's a quick summary of what the copper-gold ratio can indicate:
- Higher ratio: Increased industrial demand and a positive outlook for economic growth.
- Lower ratio: Flight to safety and prevailing market caution.
The copper-gold ratio correlates strongly with the 10-year US Treasury Bond Yield. Higher interest rates may shift investor preferences away from gold towards income-generating investments such as bonds, causing the copper to gold ratio to rise.
Copper–Gold Ratio and Dollar Effects
The copper-gold ratio is a valuable metric for assessing the relationship between copper and gold prices. It's calculated by dividing the current price of copper per ounce by the current price of gold per ounce.

A higher copper-gold ratio indicates that copper is relatively more expensive than gold, suggesting increased industrial demand and a positive outlook for economic growth. This is often observed in strong and vibrant global economies where copper-driven industries thrive.
Institutional asset managers use the copper-gold ratio as one of the 10-year Treasury yield's leading indicators. They believe it can help predict market trends and make informed investment decisions.
The copper-gold ratio is influenced by the US dollar, as both copper and gold are dollar-denominated commodities. A strong dollar can increase commodity prices for non-dollar buyers, but the ratio of gold and copper largely neutralizes this effect.
Copper and gold exhibit negative correlations with the US dollar, with copper futures showing a correlation coefficient of –0.10 and gold showing a coefficient of –0.31. This means that when the dollar strengthens, copper and gold prices tend to decrease.
The dollar's appreciation relative to local currencies can have a tightening effect on global economic activities, according to Bank for International Settlements analysis. This highlights the importance of considering the dollar's impact on the copper-gold ratio.
Copper-Gold Ratio and 10-Year Treasuries

The Copper-Gold Ratio and 10-Year Treasuries is a fascinating topic. The ratio represents the price of copper per pound divided by the price of gold per troy ounce.
Historically, the 10-year Treasury yield often gravitates toward the direction set by the copper-gold ratio when discrepancies arise. This means that if the ratio is rising, the 10-year yield may also increase.
According to Topdown Charts on YouTube, the copper-gold ratio and 10-year Treasury yields have a strong correlation. In fact, the copper-gold ratio is often regarded as a leading indicator for interest rates.
A simple macroeconomic model suggests that an increase in real gross domestic product will cause an increase in average interest rates in an economy. This is in line with Adam Robinson's discussion on the Tim Ferriss Podcast.
The copper-gold ratio is not the only factor influencing the 10-year Treasury yield, but it's certainly an important one. As Saylor Academy notes, an increase in real GDP can lead to higher interest rates.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Copper-gold ratio and 10-year Treasury yields have a strong correlation.
- The copper-gold ratio is a leading indicator for interest rates.
- Higher interest rates may shift investor preferences away from gold towards income-generating investments.
- An increase in real GDP can lead to higher interest rates.
Correlation and Analysis
Gold and copper tend to move in the same direction a majority of the time, as shown by their long-term price chart.
Copper is more volatile and sensitive to price swings than gold, reacting quickly to fundamental trends in its industrial consumption.
More than two-thirds of the world's copper goes directly into building construction and electronics, which makes it more susceptible to economic fluctuations.
The value of gold is shaped by interest rates and inflation expectations, rather than noticeable swings in actual production and consumption.
Most of the world's gold simply gets stored and transferred back and forth from one vault to the next, which is why its value is less influenced by industrial trends.
Copper's volatility can be an advantage for traders who want to capitalize on its price swings, but it also means that its value can be more unpredictable.
By understanding the differences in how gold and copper behave, investors can make more informed decisions about their portfolios.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert copper to gold equivalent?
To convert copper to gold equivalent, use the formula AuEq = Cu + 1.469387*Cu. This calculation assumes 100% recoveries and does not account for lead, zinc, or molybdenum.
Sources
- https://www.longtermtrends.net/copper-gold-ratio/
- https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2023/03/16/is-the-copper-gold-ratio-a-leading-indicator-on-rates/
- https://www.tastylive.com/news-insights/why-the-copper-gold-ratio-is-so-important-to-traders
- https://www.topdowncharts.com/post/2019/08/21/copper-vs-gold-a-macro-microcosm
- https://app.hedgeye.com/insights/137661-tier-1-alpha-what-the-copper-gold-ratio-means-for-10-year-treasuries
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