India copper futures are expected to open slightly higher on Wednesday due to a weak rupee and a pullback in overseas markets, analysts said. The benchmark April contract MCCJ9 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) closed 1.2 percent lower at 231.95 rupees per kg in the previous session. "It may open around 232.5 rupees per kg," said Harish Galipelli, head of research with Karvy Comtrade in Hyderabad. At 9:37 a.m., three month LME copper was 1.18 percent higher at $4,688.50 a tonne, rising from a low of $4,623. However, analysts said copper may witness profit-taking later in the session pressured by weaker-than expected overnight U.S. retail sales data. "We expect copper to trade largely on the lower side as the recent rally was overdone and also due to U.S. data and weak equity markets," said Galipelli. Sales at U.S. retailers unexpectedly fell 1.1 percent in March after rising for two straight months, cooling recent optimism about the economy. [ID:nLE387774] Copper may trade in the range of 228-240 rupees, said Kunal Shah, analyst with Nirmal Bang Commodities. April zinc MZIJ9 ended 0.7 percent up at 70.45 rupees per kg, while lead for April MLDJ9 closed 2 percent higher at 73.20 rupees per kg in the previous session.

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