US copper prices clawed back on Wednesday some of the day-earlier losses, as the dollar gave up its previous gains and in anticipation of China's raft of economic data due overnight that many participants are betting will show stronger-than-forecast readings, analysts said.
Copper for December delivery rose 3.60 cents, or 0.96 percent, to close at $3.7935 per lb on the COMEX metals division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Trading range ran from $3.72, lowest since October 12, then, back up to a $3.7970 a lb high. On Tuesday, December copper slid over 3.20 percent to $3.73, after rising, on Monday, to a July 2008 high at $3.88. COMEX estimated final copper futures volume at 35,870 lots, well below Tuesday's heavy tally of 54,432 lots. Open interest fell by 2,062 lots at 162,855 contracts as of October 19.