US copper futures rose to a 2-1/2-week high early Wednesday after manufacturing data from China, Europe and the United States reinforced global economic recovery hope. Copper for September delivery surged 8.15 cents, or 3.6 percent, to $2.3535 a lb by 10:40 am EDT (1440 GMT) on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division.
Morning range from $2.2720 to $2.3690, a high for the benchmark contract dating back to June 15. COMEX estimated futures volume at 6,017 lots by 9 am.