Copper futures settled down on Tuesday as the US dollar strengthened against its major peers overseas. Copper prices weakened further on concerns over the outlook for demand from China after data showed economic growth in the world's second largest economy slowed in the second quarter. However, some losses were limited by solid US retail sales data that fuelled expectations the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates soon.
Copper futures for September delivery lost $0.0770 to settle at $4.4495 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was down by 1.45 percent at $9,663.50 a ton.