There’s more than one way to invest in copper. In addition to buying shares of copper stocks, investors can gain exposure through copper exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or copper exchange-traded notes (ETNs).
For the uninitiated, ETFs are securities that trade like stocks on an exchange, but track an index, commodity, bonds or a basket of assets like an index fund. In the case of base metal copper, there are various options — an ETF can track specific groups of copper-focused companies, as well as copper futures contracts or even physical copper.
ETNs also track an underlying asset and trade like stocks on an exchange, but they are more like bonds — they are unsecured debt notes issued by an institution, and can be held to maturity or bought and sold at will. The main disadvantage to be aware of is that investors risk total default if an ETN’s underwriter goes bankrupt.
The copper outlook is strong as demand rises and concerns about supply increase as the energy transition gains traction. This has caused many investors to wonder how to take advantage of the potential in the copper market.
Here the Investing News Network presents six copper ETFs and one copper ETN that may be worth considering. All data was current as of May 5, 2025. Read on to learn more about these vehicles.
3. Sprott Physical Copper Trust (TSX:COP.U,OTCQX:SPHCF)
Assets under management: US$96.59 million
A relatively new ETF, the Sprott Physical Copper Trust was established in July 2024 and is one of the first funds to be based around physical copper. The fund has an expense ratio of 2.03 percent.
As of the start of May 2025, the fund held 10,157 metric tons of copper worth US$96.59 million.
This is an updated version of an article originally published by the Investing News Network in 2015.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, own shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals.
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