US copper futures ended lower on Friday, after data showing the US economy shed twice as many jobs as expected revived concerns about a slower economic recovery. Copper for September delivery eased 1.05 cents to finish at $3.3430 per lb on the COMEX metals division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Range from $3.3250 to $3.38. Earlier this week, the key September contract hit a three-month peak at $3.4105. COMEX estimated copper futures volume at 36,792 lots by 1 pm EDT (1700 GMT). Final volume on Thursday hit 41,210 lots. Open interest rose 267 lots to 145,441 contracts open as of August 5.