ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE) has risen 6% in a month and almost doubled over a year.
WIRE ETF is soaring due to rising demand for copper as the green energy transition starts showing itself in rising commodity prices.
But WIRE's performance since inception in November 2022 is also impressive at an average 34.23% per annum.
Last year was particularly strong amid the copper price soaring 42%.
The red metal traded above US$6 per pound for the first time earlier this month.
Copper is essential for electrification and is a key ingredient in much of the new infrastructure being built for the energy transition.
It offers high ductility, malleability, and thermal and electrical conductivity, and is resistant to corrosion.
Copper is used in wiring, electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, solar energy systems, telecommunications, and electronic products.
The red metal was added to the US Critical Minerals List in November 2025.
The weaker US dollar is also supporting the copper price as investors seek safety in base metals like copper and precious metals like gold.
Trading Economics analysts explain:
A softer dollar makes commodities priced in greenbacks, including copper, gold, and silver, more affordable for buyers using other currencies.
Investment demand has also picked up, with Chinese merchants offering 1-kilogram investment-grade copper bars despite challenges in the secondary resale market.
Additionally, physical buyers are front-loading copper deliveries ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in China and potential US tariffs on refined metal, further tightening global supply.
Elsewhere, robust consumption driven by the global shift toward renewable energy and artificial intelligence applications continues to support copper demand.
Image source: Getty Images
Nitty-gritty on WIRE ETF
WIRE seeks to mirror the performance of the Solactive Global Copper Miners Total Return Index before fees.
WIRE holds 39 stocks and offers good geographical diversification.
This mix is 37% Canada, 11% US, 10% Australia, 10% Hong Kong, 7% Japan, 6% Poland, 5% Sweden, and the list goes on.
The ASX copper shares among WIRE's investments include the market's biggest copper pure-play, Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), at 3.2%.
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), now the world's largest copper producer, makes up 4% of WIRE's investments.
Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares provide another 3%, and Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) makes up 0.36%.
WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1) shares are in there, too, at 0.2%.
Last month, James Gerrish from Shaw and Partners said WIRE was his team's preferred copper exposure among ASX ETFs.
Gerrish said:
The ASX-listed Global X Miners ETF (WIRE) remains one of our preferred vehicles for broad exposure to global copper producers.
From a regional perspective, it only has 11% exposure to Australia, with Canada providing the main holdings.
It has a decent $400mn market cap, while its fees are okay at 0.65%.
