Shanghai copper rises

The most-traded December copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange advanced 1.17 percent to close at 55,980 yuan ($8,800) per tonne on Thursday. China is the world's biggest user of copper, accounting for 40 percent of refined demand last year.
Gains were initially tempered after data from China showed factory activity in August shrank at the fastest pace in nine months as new export orders slumped and inventories rose, a signal that a persistent slowdown in economic growth has extended deeper into the third quarter. "Copper is up on further shortcovering and, yes, there is an increased chance of RRR especially after S&P said China could benefit from further easing," a Singapore-based trader said.