Econ worries drag US copper down from 11-mth highs
NEW YORK - U.S. copper futures extended a pull-back from last week's 11-month highs Monday morning, as a sharp plunge in Chinese and U.S. equity markets curbed economic recovery hopes, and a firmer dollar combined to drag prices down to one-week lows.
* Benchmark copper for December delivery HGZ9 dropped 9.80 cents, or nearly 3.3 percent, to $2.8525 a lb by 10:09 a.m. EDT (1409 GMT) on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division.
* Range from $2.9890 to $2.8320, its lowest level since Aug. 21.
* On Friday, the December contract climbed to a 11-month peak at $2.9895.
* COMEX estimated copper volumes at 10,200 lots by 9 a.m.
* COMEX copper tracks sharp plunge in Chinese equity markets and a 3-percent fall in Shanghai copper prices.
* The dollar was up against a basket of currencies .DXY, making dollar-denominated metals, such as copper, more expensive for non-U.S. investors. [USD/]
* Faster-than-expected pick-up in U.S. Midwest business activity fails to slow early selling momentum.
* The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago business barometer rose to 50.0 from 43.4 in July. Economists had forecast the index at 48.0.
* Chilean copper production amounted to 427,018 tonnes in July, down 1.3 percent from the same month last year.
* Shanghai copper stocks hit a two-year peak at 86,825 tonnes on Friday.
* London Metal Exchange (LME) closed Monday for a holiday. Business will resume on Tuesday.
* LME warehouse stocks rose by 1,375 tonnes to 298,925 tonnes on Friday.
* COMEX copper warehouse stocks were unchanged at 52,981 short tons as of Friday.
* LME copper for three-months delivery MCU3 settled at $6,475 a tonne on Friday, after hitting an 11-month peak at $6,549. (Reporting by Chris Kelly; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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