NEW DELHI: Amid short-covering by speculators and rising spot demand, copper futures prices today rose marginally by 0.21 per cent to Rs 401.35 per kg.
However, a weak trend in base metals at the London Metal limited the fall.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, copper for delivery in June rose by 85 paise, or 0.21 per cent, to Rs 401.35 per kg, with a turnover of 3,592 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in far-month August was up by 75 paise, or 0.19 per cent, at Rs 405.20 per kg, with a trade volume of 235 lots.
Globally, copper for three-month delivery fell by 0.60 per cent to $7,234 a tonne on the London Metal Exchange (LME).
Market analysts attributed the rise in copper futures to covering-up of short positions by speculators and rising spot demand but a weak trend on the LME after data showed US jobless claims rose and housing starts slumped, raising concern that demand from the second-biggest user is slowing, restricted gains.
