India copper futures are expected to open slightly lower on Thursday, tracking the rupee's gains, analysts said. The benchmark April contract MCCJ9 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) closed 3.9 percent higher at 240.90 rupees per kg in the previous session. It may open at 240.50 rupees per kg, said Vishal Maniyar, metals analyst with Karvy Comtrade in Hyderabad. A strong rupee makes the dollar quoted asset cheaper. The Indian rupee is trading at its highest in two months after data from China triggered expectations that the worst of the global crisis may be over and equity inflows may resume. {ID:nBOM398884]. However, an expected rise in equity markets, which may signal an increase in economic activity and demand for base metals may support copper, he added. "Copper may display a firm trend later in the session on higher equity markets and may trade in the range of 237-245 (rupees)," said Maniyar. April zinc MZIJ9 ended 5.5 percent higher at 74.30 rupees per kg, while lead for April MLDJ9 closed 5 percent higher at 76.90 rupees per kg in the previous session. GOLD: Futures are likely to open a tad lower, tracking a strong rupee and slightly lower international markets, analysts said. The benchmark June contract MAUM9 closed 0.32 percent lower at 14,282 rupees per 10 grams in the last session. It may open at 14,240 rupees per 10 grams, said Abhishek Chauhan, a technical analyst with Angel Commodities. At 9:37 Comex gold June contract GCM9 was 0.3 percent lower at $890.8 an ounce. "It may trade sideways with a negative bias on growing risk aversion and may stay between 14,200-14,400 (rupees)," said Pranav Mer, an analyst with India Infoline in Mumbai. Gold may trade in the range of 14,100-14,400 rupees with overall market looking bearish on expectations of technical selling, said Chauhan.

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