Metal traders’ enduring pain undercuts all the super-cycle hype

LONDON: The world’s metal traders are enduring one of their toughest periods in years, even as an international race for minerals thrusts the industry into the geopolitical spotlight like never before.

From top copper trader Trafigura Group to the largest metals-specialist hedge fund, a who’s-who of powerful and high-profile names have lost money, cut staff or suffered other setbacks in the past year.