Copper futures settled down on Tuesday ahead of US inflation numbers this week that could offer more clarity on when the US central bank might begin cutting interest rates, while investors are also awaiting China’s trade data to gauge prospects for demand in the world's top metals consumer. Moreover, firm US dollar and rising Treasury yields also adding more pressure on copper prices.
Copper futures for March delivery fell $0.0515 to settle at $3.7585 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was down by 0.93 percent at $8,369.50 a ton.