Copper futures settled higher on Thursday on firm demand, even as dollar strengthened overnight against most major rivals following the inflation report. Commerce Department report showed that US prices picked up in January in line with expectations, while the annual inflation slipped to the lowest in three years. Investor appetite improved further with hopes that next week's annual parliamentary meeting in the world’s top metal consumer China could provide clues on further economic stimulus.
Copper futures for May delivery gained $0.0065 to settle at $3.8470 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was up by 0.53 percent at $8,493.50 a ton.