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Copper prices rise as stocks fall

The copper price was stable on Monday. This was due to the outflows of warehouses registered at the London Metal Exchange. A weaker dollar and expectations for stronger demand in China were also factors.

In official open-outcry trade, the benchmark copper price on the LME fell 0.1% to $9.890 per metric ton. Last week, the contract reached a five-month peak of $10.038 amid growing expectations that U.S. rates will be cut in this month.

The Yangshan premium and the import appetite of China, the top consumer, also supported the market. Its three-month record price is up 1.8% at $58 per ton.

The yuan reached a new high in relation to the U.S. dollar, which makes metals priced in dollars more appealing for Chinese buyers.

Imports of Chinese unwrought copper fell in August from July, but increased from the previous year. Meanwhile, imports copper concentrates rose to 2,76 million tons, which is a four-month record.

Analysts at ANZ stated in a report that "lower treatment charges did not curtail China's desire for copper concentrate".

Imports of refined copper should remain strong in September due to the favorable import parity, and the prospect of a weaker domestic production.

China's export growth in August slowed down to its lowest level in six months, while import growth was 1.3% after a 4.1% increase a month before.

Copper stocks registered on the LME LME data revealed that the total amount of 155,825 tonnes was a result of outflows in several locations of 2,125 tons and new cancellations of 8,500 tones in South Korea. <0#MCUSTX-LOC>

LME aluminium rose 0.4% in official activity to $2,610 per ton as inventories of aluminium on warrants After 32,000 new cancellations, LME storage dropped to 442,425 tonnes, the lowest level since late July. <0#MALSTX-LOC>

LME zinc rose by 0.1% to 2,864, while lead increased 0.4% to 1,992, and tin rose 0.5% to $35,500. Nickel also grew 0.2% to 15,260. (Reporting and editing by Tasimzahid, Kirby Donovan; Tasim Devitt)

(source: Reuters)