Copper futures ended lower on Tuesday as dollar strengthened against its major rivals after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's comments saying interest rates may need to rise a bit to prevent the American economy from overheating. However, some losses were capped on prospects for higher demand and after reports saying Chile's copper mine output declined by 1.21% in March compared with the same month last year amid lower volumes from the world's largest copper mine, Escondida.
Copper futures for July delivery fell $0.0070 to settle at $4.5215 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 1.44% at $9,966.00 a ton.