The Passive Investor’s Toolkit

If you want to ride the copper supercycle without analyzing geology reports of individual mines, ETFs are your best friend. Here are the top contenders for 2026.

1. Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX)

• The Heavyweight. This is the go-to fund for miner exposure.
• Holdings: It tracks a broad basket of miners, capped to ensure no single giant dominates. You get exposure to Canadian, Australian, and US firms.
• Why Buy: It pays a decent dividend and offers high beta (volatility) relative to the copper price.

2. United States Copper Index Fund (CPER)

• The Pure Play. This fund holds copper futures contracts.
• Why Buy: If you think the metal price will skyrocket but are worried that mining companies might face strikes or tax hikes, CPER is safer. It tracks the commodity, not the corporations.

3. iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP)

• The BlackRock Option. A newer entrant, rapidly gaining liquidity.
• Focus: broader than just pure copper, often including diversified miners with heavy copper exposure.
• Why Buy: Lower expense ratio than some competitors.

4. Sprott Copper Miners ETF (COPP)

• The Active Choice. Sprott is legendary in the metals space.
• Strategy: This ETF focuses on “pure-play” mid-tier producers which often have more upside than the sluggish giants like BHP.

5. WisdomTree Copper (COPA) - European Option

• For EU Investors. An ETC (Exchange Traded Commodity) commonly available on European exchanges.
• Structure: Synthetic or physical backing depending on the specific tranche. Ensure you check the KIDS document.

Analyst Pick for 2026

COPX remains our favorite. In a bull market, miners tend to outperform the metal due to operational leverage, and COPX gives you that leverage with diversification.