Copper futures settled higher on Thursday as markets awaiting China briefing about the details of the upcoming fiscal stimulus plans this weekend. Copper prices improved further on expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver an interest-rate cut next month after signs of weakness in the labour market and hotter-than-expected inflation data.
Copper futures for December delivery gained $0.0280 to settle at $4.4275 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. Copper on the London Metal Exchange was up by 0.5 percent at $9,723 a ton.