Copper exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are funds that hold shares of copper mining companies or copper futures contracts. These ETFs enable you to easily invest in copper, which is one of the most widely used metals on the planet. It's an excellent conductor of electricity, making it vital for electrical applications. Copper is also growing in importance as the economy turns to electricity to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
Copper is an essential component for wind energy and in electric vehicles. As a result, copper usage should rise in the coming years. The increased demand should boost the price of copper, as well as share prices of mining companies focused on the metal.
There are many ways to potentially profit from the growth in the copper market. One broad approach is to invest in an ETF focused on the copper sector. Here's a closer look at the top copper ETFs.
Three top copper ETFs
A few ETFs provide investors with direct exposure to the copper market. They take two different approaches. One strategy is to own shares of mining companies that get a significant portion of their revenue from copper. The other strategy is to invest in futures contracts that derive their value from copper prices. Here are the top copper-focused ETFs:
Copper ETF | Ticker symbol | Assets under management | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
Global X Copper Miners ETF | $2.0 billion | Copper miners | |
United States Copper Index ETF | $239.1 million | Copper futures | |
iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF | $69.8 million | Copper and metals mining compaines |
Data source: ETF Database. Data as of July 11, 2025.
Global X Copper Miners ETF
NYSEMKT: COPX
Key Data Points
The Global X Copper Miners ETF provides investors with access to a range of copper mining companies. The ETF held 40 copper stocks as of mid-2025, led by the following five:
- First Quantum (FM -3.84%): 5.5% of the fund's holdings.
- Freeport-McMoRan (FCX -2.09%): 5.4%.
- Lundin Mining (LUNMF -5.56%): 5.1%
- Hudbay Mineral (HBM -7.42%): 4.8%.
- Antofagasta (ANFGF -1.64%): 4.7%.
The ETF gives investors targeted exposure to the entire copper mining industry. It allows investors to hold a broad basket of copper mining stocks for a modest ETF expense ratio of 0.65%.
One drawback to investing in copper mining stocks is that they can underperform the price of copper due to cost overruns, mismanagement, or other issues. Many also produce other metals such as iron ore, aluminum, and gold, which can dilute the impact of higher copper prices.
However, copper mining stocks can also potentially outperform copper if they can expand production amid rising copper prices. They also offer the potential to collect dividend income.
United States Copper Index ETF
NYSEMKT: CPER
Key Data Points
How to use copper ETFs
Copper ETFs offer investors a way to invest in the thesis that copper prices will rise in the future. However, copper ETFs can underperform the price of copper due to the risks facing mining companies and the costs associated with rolling copper futures contracts.
Of the two copper ETF strategies, copper mining stock ETFs offer the potential for upside beyond the rise in copper prices. A mining-focused ETF gives long-term investors a better return profile for the risk.
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