SF: Copper Surges Most Since March as U.S. Jobless Claims Decline
Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Copper rose the most since March after claims for unemployment-insurance payments unexpectedly fell in the U.S., tempering concern that the economy is faltering.
Applications for jobless benefits decreased in the week ended Aug. 6 to 395,000, the fewest since early April, the Labor Department said. Economists forecast 405,000 claims, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. The U.S. is the world's second-largest copper user. Other industrial metals including aluminum and lead advanced on the London Metal Exchange.
"Any type of drop in jobless claims adds to the bullish momentum," Adam Klopfenstein, a senior strategist at MF Global Holdings Ltd. in Chicago, said in a telephone interview.
Copper futures for December delivery gained 12.65 cents, or 3.2 percent, to $4.0375 a pound at 10:02 a.m. on the Comex in New York. A close at that price would mark the biggest gain for a most-active contract since March 17.
"Strength in the Chinese yuan, which increases China's purchasing power for dollar-based commodities, helped fuel a rally in base metals overnight," RBC Capital Markets said in a report.
The yuan strengthened beyond 6.4 per dollar for the first time since 1993, supported by the Federal Reserve's pledge to keep interest rates at a record low. China is the largest metal buyer.
On the LME, copper for delivery in three months jumped $284, or 3.3 percent, to $8,879 a metric ton ($4.03 a pound).
