India's copper futures recovered on Friday on firm global leads, after losing 1.8 percent in the previous session, but a stronger rupee could limit the gains later in the day, analysts said. At 10:47 a.m., 3-month London copper was 1.94 percent higher at $3,415 a tonne, supported by hopes the demand slump could be reaching a bottom. "Copper would be trading sideways with a positive bias," said Tejas Seth, a senior research analyst with SMC Global Securities in Delhi, data due later in the day would provide direction for the red metal. Investors would await the UK industrial output data, U.S. employment report to gauge direction in the base metals complex. The benchmark February copper contract MCCG9 was 1.88 percent higher at 165.50 rupees per kg at 10:47 a.m., after hitting a high of 165.8 rupees. Buying is recommended on correction to 161 rupees with a stop loss of below 156 rupees, and with a target of 170/172 rupees, said Pranav Mer, an analyst with India Infoline in Mumbai. At 10:47 a.m., February zinc MZIG9 was 1.62 percent higher at 56.30 rupees per kg, while lead for February MLDG9 was 0.98 percent higher at 56.50 rupees per kg.

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