Copper futures in New York opened lower Wednesday on news of advances in talks between striking workers and management at Chile's Escondida mine, which may pave the way for a labour settlement at the world's largest copper mine, sources said.
A softer-than-expected reading in US housing starts in July was also deemed negative for the market, possibly reflecting lessening demand for the industrial metal.
By 10:31 am EDT (1431 GMT), copper for September delivery was down 3.25 cents at $3.4950 a lb. on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division, near the lower end of its early $3.46 to $3.5250 trading band. December copper lost 4.20 cents at $3.4475, moving between $3.4250 and $3.4850. Spot August fell 3.25 cents to $3.5250 a lb. Volume at 10 am was estimated at 5,000 lots.
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