US copper futures trimmed losses early on Friday, recovering from earlier 3-1/2-month lows, after labour market data showed the unemployment rate slide in January, even as payrolls fell. Benchmark copper for March delivery was trading down 1.30 cents at $2.8660 per lb by 10:32 am EST (1532 GMT) on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division.
Range extended down from $2.8905 to $2.8110, the lowest level since October 15. COMEX estimated futures volume at 27,844 lots by 10 am.