US copper futures eased into the close on Wednesday as a steadier tone in the dollar and caution in front of aluminium producer Alcoa's quarterly results kept trading conditions on the light side, analysts said. Copper for December delivery slipped 0.50 cent to settle at $2.7795 a lb on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division. Range from $2.7510 to $2.8040.
COMEX estimated futures volume at 16,651 lots by 12 pm Lighter volumes due to week-long holidays in Chinese markets.