US copper futures trimmed a portion of their gains by the close on Friday, as investors took their cues from volatile equity markets and cashed in after an early rally stalled near the $1.70 a lb level. Copper for May delivery rose 4.00 cents, or 2.5 percent, to settle at $1.6645 a lb on the New York Mercantile Exchanges COMEX division. Sessions range from $1.6375 to $1.6965.
Front-month March copper ended up 4.10 cents at $1.6585. COMEX estimated futures volume at 13,946 lots by 1 pm. Final volume on Thursday hit 16,274 lots. Open interest increased by 1,793 lots to 91,152 contracts open as of March 12. COMEX copper continues to bump off of $1.70 (a lb) level.
Market could retrace back to the $1.40s within the next few weeks if the downtrend turns around and continues - Zachary Oxman, senior trader with Wisdom Financial in Newport Beach, California. Copper initially supported by across-the-board withdrawals in warehouse stockpiles and firmer global equity markets. US stocks surrendered early gains tied to data showing a larger-than-expected rise in US consumer sentiment.
The Reuters, University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers said its preliminary index reading of confidence for March increased to 56.6 from 56.3 in February. Comments from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who said 595, billion yuan had been allocated in this years budget for stimulus moves and new measures could be added, if needed, aided in the positive sentiment.
"We need more China. They got us to this level and if they continue to acquire material, we could see further upside." - Larry Young, senior trader at Infinity Futures Inc in Chicago. On Thursday, data showed Chinas annual industrial output growth slow to 3.8 percent in January and February from 5.7 percent in December - the National Bureau of Statistics.
Copper inventories in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell 10 percent to 34,735 tonnes from 38,468 tonnes a week ago. Cancelled warrants - an indicator of future outflows of the metal - fell to 29,825 tonnes from 37,715 tonnes on Thursday.
COMEX copper stocks were steady at 44,441 short tons as of Thursday. South Korea has bought 5,000 tonnes of copper cathode at a premium of $104 a tonne over London Metal Exchange cash prices on a cost, insurance and freight basis.