MUMBAI: Copper futures are expected to open higher Tuesday due to global leads but then fall as investors fret over slowing demand, analysts At 9:19 a.m., three-month LME copper was 1.24 percent higher at $3,670 a tonne. "Copper is expected to trade sideways to lower due to demand woes," said Vishal Maniyar, an analyst with Karvy Comtrade in Hyderabad. He expects the red metal to trade in the range of 185.9-191.1 rupees. Copper may consolidate in the range of 185-193 rupees, said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, director with Commtrendz Research in Mumbai. Traders said they await LME inventory data slated for release later in the day for further direction. Copper stocks in LME-monitored warehouses fell by 3,325 tonnes to 518,700 tonnes on Monday. The benchmark April contract on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) last ended 2.3 percent lower at 188.45 rupees per kg. It may open at around 190 rupees per kg, said Karvy's Maniyar. March zinc ended at 62.65 rupees per kg, while lead for March closed at 64.35 rupees per kg. GOLD: Futures are expected to open lower on continued profit-taking, analysts said. "Market should be trading weak for the day," said Vikas Vaid, associate vice-president with Asit C. Mehta Commodities Services in Mumbai. "We are expecting a good correction below 15,200 and gold may touch 14,950 today," said Pranav Mer, an analyst with India Infoline. The benchmark April gold contract last closed 1.5 percent lower at 15,291 rupees per 10 grams. It may open lower at 15,220 around rupees per 10 grams, and may trade in the range of 15,150-15,400 rupees, Vaid added.

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