How 12 Trades in 30 Years Turned $30k into $101k with Copper Futures

When you think about the history of metals, copper has a story that goes way back. Its name comes from the Latin word “cuprum,” a nod to the ancient copper mines of Cyprus. For thousands of years, it’s been used for everything from tools and weapons to currency. One of its most famous applications is the Statue of Liberty, whose iconic green hue is the result of copper oxidizing over time.

Today, copper is a cornerstone of modern industry, especially for electrical wiring. Its price has become something of an economic bellwether, often tracking trends in a way that’s surprisingly similar to gold. Since a major price surge back in 2005, copper futures have generally traded in a range between $1.50 and $5. This volatility presents an interesting opportunity for anyone looking into a .

So, how did our strategy for in this commodity perform? Over a 30-year period from 1993 to 2023, an initial investment of $30,000 grew to an impressive $101,333.49. That's a total return of 237.8%, which breaks down to an average annual return of 6.04%. What’s really striking is that this was achieved with just 12 trades over three decades—that averages out to about one trade every two and a half years. This demonstrates how doesn't have to mean constant activity.

To put that 6.04% return into perspective, this performance with copper actually outpaced bonds. It also came remarkably close to the 6.6% long-term average return for holding stocks, a figure discussed by Jeremy J. Siegel. This shows that a well-timed approach to a commodity not typically seen as a primary store of value can create a powerful . For those exploring different types of , this case study proves that you don’t always have to follow the crowd into to see solid, long-term results.