US copper futures ended lower Tuesday, as concerns about over-extended price levels in the face of a weaker near-term demand outlook sapped momentum and pulled prices down to near one-week lows. Copper for December delivery slipped 6.25 cents, or 2.2 percent, to settle at $2.7945 a lb on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division. Lowest level on a settlement basis since October 7.
Range from $2.7560 to $2.8855. Last week, December contract hit a three-week high at $2.9010. COMEX estimated futures volume at 23,771 lots by 1 pm EDT (1700 GMT). Final volume on Monday hit 12,908 lots. COMEX copper warehouse stocks added another 358 short tons on Monday, bringing total levels to 56,019 short tons. LME copper for three-month delivery closed down $135 at $6,140 a tonne.