US copper futures closed lower on Tuesday, but managed to bounce away from their cheapest levels with the help of a weaker dollar and upbeat retail sales data that reinforced improving economic and demand prospects. Copper for December delivery fell 1.05 cents to close at $3.4685 per lb on the COMEX metals division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Range from $3.4280 to $3.4975. COMEX estimated copper futures volume at 26,072 lots by 1 pm EDT (1700 GMT). Final volume on Monday hit 23,353 lots. Open interest up 978 lots at 141,905 contracts as of September 13.