Lead, nickel prices hit new records

Base metals prices were higher on Wednesday. Three-month nickel hit another record high when it reached $49,550 per tonne during the session and added almost $1,000 on the day. Cash prices have already breached the $50,000 per tonne level.

Lead also set a record, adding $50 to $2,010 per tonne as it went past the $2,000 level for the first time.

Three-month copper gained $175 on the session, to $7,410 late in the day on the London Metal Exchange. The gain of 2 percent sent copper prices up a total of 8 percent in the past three trading days.