Copper futures ended lower on Wednesday as the US dollar strengthened after meeting minutes released by the US Federal Reserve signalled it may hike interest rates sooner than expected. Further, expectations of recovering mine supply after Chinese miner MMG resolved disputes with local communities in its mine in Peru, also adding pressure on copper prices.
Copper futures for March delivery fell $0.0590 to settle at $4.3545 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 1.72 percent at $9,531 a ton.