US copper futures settled up at a fresh 26-month peak on Tuesday, driven by encouraging US services sector data and new steps by central banks to fight economic weakness abroad. Copper for December delivery jumped 6.25 cents, or 1.7 percent, to settle at $3.7265 per lb on the COMEX metals division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Range from $3.6445 to $3.7450, matching a peak set by the third position futures contract dating back to July 22, 2008. COMEX estimated final copper futures volume at 30,708 lots, up from Monday's count at 22,738 lots. Open interest up 71 lots at 149,147 contracts as of October 4.