US copper futures fell then steadied at lower slightly lower levels early Thursday, as a rebound in the dollar countered robust data from China and lingering supply-side concerns, leaving prices hovering near $3.00 a lb. Copper for December delivery down 2.90 cents at $3.0070 a lb by 10:26 am EDT (1426 GMT) on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division.
Range from $2.9770 to $3.0310. On Wednesday, the contract hit a 13-month peak at $3.0575. COMEX estimated futures volume at 11,347 lots by 9 am COMEX copper prices up over 7 percent on the week.