Copper erased earlier gains to end easier on Thursday, influenced by slowing economic conditions in the US that underscored the bearish sentiment surrounding demand prospects at the start of the year. Copper's mildly negative tone came after US gross domestic product for the first quarter slowed to a 1.8 percent annual pace.
July COMEX copper contract rising 1.50 cents at $4.2615 per lb. Still, prices are down more than 8 percent from February's record highs of $10,190 a tonne and $4.6535 per lb.