RTRS: India copper trims losses;eyes US Fed decision
MUMBAI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - India copper futures trimmed early losses on Tuesday, as continuing uncertainty over the health of the global economy and the subsequent demand for industrial metals pressured prices, analysts said.
Data out Monday from the U.S. showing a 0.6 percent fall in industrial output in November compared with a 1.5 percent rise in October weighed on sentiment.
At 7:37 p.m., benchmark February copper MCCG9 was down 0.10 percent at 156 rupees per kg after hitting an intra-day low of 152.4.
The next immediate support is pegged at 150-rupee-level, any breach of that level would result in decline in prices to 140 rupees, said Vamsi Krishna Kona, senior technical analyst at Karvy Comtrade.
"There is no respite for base metals until the global economic condition stabilises and physical demand resurfaces," said Tejas Seth, senior research analyst with SMC Global Securities Ltd.
"During the day the Fed's decision on interest rates will provide further direction," he added.
The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates and lay down emergency tools to curtail a recession late Tuesday. [nT153968]]
Rising copper inventories also pressured prices. Copper stocks in London Metal Exchange warehouses rose 3,800 tonnes to 318,625 tonnes on Tuesday.
"Intraday, copper is expected to consolidate and touch 151 levels," said Debjyoti Chatterjee, associate vice-president, MAPE Admisi Commodities Pvt Ltd.
Zinc and lead prices also fell on reports of a supply surplus, analysts said.
Lisbon-based International Zinc and Lead Study Group's (ILZSG) latest monthly report on Monday showed that the global zinc market was in surplus by 121,000 and the global lead market by 21,000 tonnes in the first 10 months of 2008. [nLF71254] [nLF718187]
At 7:38 p.m., benchmark December zinc MZIZ8 was down 0.38 percent at 51.80 rupees per kg and December lead MLDZ8 was down 3.33 percent at 47.90 rupees per kg. (Reporting by Siddesh Mayenkar; Editing by Rohini Ananthan)