Copper, lead prices lower

Copper prices were lower in New York on Friday, dropping 2 cents to $3.65 per pound, although some analysts expect the base metal to see gains next week on expanded demand from China.

Meanwhile, three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange closed at $8,060 per tonne, a decline of $20 over Thursday’s close as LME stockpiles added 2,300 tonnes to 138,150 tonnes.

LME tin added $450 to $16,350 per tonne, its highest level since early August as supplies from Indonesia have dropped, with analysts expecting supplies to become even more restricted in the fourth quarter.

Aluminium gained $32 in London to $2,502 per tonne after going as high as $2,515 per tonne during the session, while zinc was $30 higher to $3,105 and nickel added $100 to $32,000.

Lead, however, joined copper as it fell $15 to $3,820 per tonne on profit-taking.