Copper futures ended lower on Friday as the US dollar strengthened before key US jobs data that could clear the path for an earlier rate hike by the US Federal Reserve. The US economy created 210,000 jobs in November, far fewer jobs than the 550,000 expected, in a sign that hiring started to slow even ahead of the new Covid threat, the Labor Department reported Friday. Fears about the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which could dampen which could dampen global economic growth and demand for industrial metals, has also adding pressure on copper prices.
Copper futures for December delivery fell $0.0325 to settle at $4.2665 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.82 percent at $9,418 a ton.