Copper futures ended lower on Thursday as Omicron virus caution dented risk appetite, while stronger dollar also makes dollar-denominated metals more expensive for holders of other currencies. However, the China Producer Price Index and Consumer Price Index readings for November were encouraging that indicating stable market moves in China, the world’s top metal consumer, capped further fall in copper prices.
Copper futures for March delivery fell $0.0605 to settle at $4.3330 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 1.22 percent at $9,534.50 a ton.