When it comes to dominating the 24-hour financial news cycle, gold and silver may get most of the attention. Known as the “red metal,” copper may not be on investors’ proverbial radars. It should be, though, given its strong growth trajectory in 2026 and beyond.
As an industrial metal, copper is a crucial element with an expansive number of use cases. The metal boasts an unmatched combination of excellent electrical or thermal conductivity, malleability, and corrosion resistance. That makes it ideal for a plethora of applications. More specifically, copper is an ideal component for electrical wiring, electronics, plumbing, and renewable energy systems such as EV chargers.
Given the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, this only increases copper’s profile. The buildout of AI infrastructure will translate to increased electricity demand. Again, that justifies greater demand for copper in the long-term investment horizon.
All this said, the red metal is green with opportunities — many of which can be found in Sprott ETFs that offer copper exposure.
Targeted Copper Exposure
For exposure to copper upside, consider using mining ETFs like the Sprott Copper Miners ETF (COPP) and the Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF (COPJ).
COPP provides exposure to physical copper, which can provide closer tracking to the metal’s spot price. As the fund’s name states, COPP also adds mining exposure by tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Copper Miners Index. Its constituents include mostly large- and midcap companies domiciled across various countries. That adds to the fund’s diversification benefits.
2026 could be the year that small-cap equities prosper, making COPJ a potential play. Investors can combine small-cap growth and copper mining exposure with COPJ. The fund tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Junior Copper Miner Index (NSCOP), which includes mid-, small- and microcap companies in copper-mining related businesses.
Critical Minerals Exposure
In 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) recognized copper as a critical mineral. Investors looking for broader exposure to critical minerals, which now includes copper, could consider opting for the Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM). In addition to copper, constituents within the index that SETM tracks (the Nasdaq Sprott Critical Materials Index) include mining companies necessary for the production of uranium, lithium, nickel, silver, manganese, cobalt, graphite, and other rare earth elements.
“What’s really cool about SETM is that it gives you exposure to approximately a third of the creation of energy, which is predominantly through uranium for nuclear and silver for solar,” said Ed Coyne, Sprott senior managing partner, during a Metals in Motion episode. “There are some rare earths in there as well, but that’s really your exposure on the creation side. Then you have the movement or transmission of energy, which is predominantly copper.”
Active ETFs saw greater demand in 2025 with record launches — including the Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL). The fund utilizes the deep experience in metals from its portfolio managers. They select equities that they believe may generate attractive returns from operations. The ETF also provides exposure to metals potentially positioned for outperformance based on market and global supply-demand conditions.
For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Gold/Silver/Critical Minerals Content Hub.
An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a Prospectus, which contains this and other information, contact your financial professional or call 888.622.1813. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing, which can also be found by clicking one of the links below.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. One cannot invest directly in an index.
Funds that emphasize investments in small/mid-cap companies will generally experience greater price volatility. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of investment losses. ETFs are considered to have continuous liquidity because they allow an individual to trade throughout the day. A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses, affect the Fund’s performance.
Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc. is the Investment Adviser to the ETFs. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the Distributor for the ETFs and is a registered broker-dealer and FINRA Member. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc. or VettaFi.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): SETM, LITP, URNM, URN, COPP, COPJ, NIKL, SGDM, SGDJ, SLVR, GBUG, METL
Physical Bullion Funds: PHYS, PSLV, CEF, and SPPP.
Gold and precious metals are referred to with terms of art like store of value, safe haven and safe asset. These terms should not be construed to guarantee any form of investment safety. While “safe” assets like gold, Treasuries, money market funds and cash generally do not carry a high risk of loss relative to other asset classes, any asset may lose value, which may involve the complete loss of invested principal.
