Copper prices have fallen over 8% on the back of lower-than-anticipated demand from China, which is the largest consumer of the metal, accounting for over 50% of global consumption. Copper had been rising at the start of the year on the expectation that China’s property market would strengthen, but disappointing economic releases have weighed on the price. The industry is considered a leading indicator of global economic health and is used widely in renewable energy technologies, electronics, vehicles, and electrical grids. The US Federal Reserve's policy measures also put a dampener on business sentiment.