RTRS: India base metals tumble on demand worries, dollar
MUMBAI, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Indian base metals tumbled on opening on Thursday as a gloomy global demand outlook and a firm dollar weighed on sentiment.
Copper futures fell 4 percent and nickel fell over 5 percent and both metals hit their first lower limit on opening.
At 10.06 a.m., benchmark November copper MCCX8 on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) was down 4 percent at 200.5 rupees and October nickel MNKV8 was down 5 percent at 463.5 rupees.
Lead prices fell more than 6 percent to hit their second lower limit and zinc prices, which traded at an all time low, shed over 4 percent.
At 10.10 a.m., October zinc MZIV8 was down 4.08 percent at 52.95 rupees and lead for October delivery MLDV8 was down 5.85 percent at 58.75 rupees per kg.
The dollar hit a two-year high against a basket of currencies on Thursday as concerns about a worsening global economy prompted investors to cut risky assets.
A stronger dollar makes commodities denominated in the U.S currency expensive for holders of other currencies, and caps demand. (Reporting by Nandita Bose; Editing by Harish Nambiar)