US copper futures opened lower in a profit-taking retreat Tuesday morning, despite a double-dose of economic data that pointed to a further improved outlook for the world's largest economy. Benchmark copper for December delivery dipped 4.40 cents, or 1.5 percent, at $2.8865 a lb by 10:53 am EDT (1453 GMT) on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division. Range from $2.8635 to $2.9150.
September futures down 4.70 cents at $2.8680. COMEX estimated futures volume at 12,194 lots by 10 am.