Copper futures in New York were little changed in quiet dealings at the open on Tuesday, as traders awaited the outcome of the US presidential election, they said.
"It's Election Day ... not much going on down here. If anything, I think a lot of guys are just basically flattening out their positions," said one floor source.
Benchmark December copper on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division traded 0.45 cent higher at $1.3120 a lb. at 10:15 am EST (1545 GMT). The early morning range was from $1.3020 to $1.3185 a lb. Spot November was unchanged at $1.3155 a lb.
Sources said volumes were extremely thin as most market players sat on the sidelines for the election results.
"There may be some fireworks in tomorrow's session, following the results of the election and the November options expiration," said one trader.