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Copper bounces as market expects U.S. inflation data

Copper rates bounced on Monday as wish for stimulus in top customer China and moving stocks in Shanghai set off a flurry of purchasing ahead of inflation data from the United States today.

Traders said buying on the London Metal Exchange (LME) to take advantage of lower costs than those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) was also behind copper's gains.

Standard copper on the LME was up 1.4% at $9,121 a. metric ton by 1023 GMT. That compared with rates around $10,130. on ShFE, helping to develop what is referred to as arbitrage. trade.

Arb buying is offering impetus and Chinese inflation information. has actually got people considering stimulus once again, one metals trader. stated, adding that U.S. inflation numbers on Wednesday would be a. consider any rate of interest decision at next week's U.S. Federal. Reserve conference.

Fed rate cuts would assist to improve economic activity and. need and weigh on the U.S currency, making dollar-priced. metals cheaper for holders of other currencies.

Newest information showed that Chinese producer cost deflation. aggravated in August, reflecting a struggling economy.

Nevertheless, copper inventories << CU-STX-SGH > in storage facilities. kept an eye on by ShFE are at six-month lows of 215,374 heaps and down. 36% over the previous three months, suggesting more robust need in. China.

Another indication of healthier Chinese copper demand is the. Yangshan premium << SMM-CUYP-CN > at about $62 a load, having actually been. at a discount in July.

Elsewhere, focus is on large futures positions on the LME to. buy aluminium in October and sell in November << 0 #LME- FBR>>, which. has actually created a premium, or backwardation, of about $10 a heap for. the October contract over November << MALV24-X24 >

. Three-month aluminium was down 0.1% at $2,339 a load.

In other metals, zinc climbed 1.1% to $2,747 a lot,. lead increased 0.4% to $1,971, tin was up 0.2% at. $ 31,095 and nickel advanced 0.5% to $15,975.

(source: Reuters)