India copper futures are expected to open slightly up on Monday, buoyed by a weak rupee and higher overseas markets, analysts said. The benchmark June contract MCCM9 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) closed 0.3 percent lower at 218.10 rupees per kg in the previous session. It may open at 218.50 rupees per kg, said Aurobinda Prasad, deputy manager-research with Karvy Comtrade in Hyderabad. A weak rupee makes the dollar-quoted red metal expensive. The Indian rupee weakened in early trade after posting its biggest weekly gain in 13 years, as lower Asian stocks weighed on sentiment with dollar gains against majors overseas adding to the pressure. See [ID:nBOM463535] Shanghai copper rallied boosted by a 3.2 percent surge in London in the previous session, supported by a slide in the dollar and easing stocks. [ID:nSP462767] Copper may trade in the range of 215-223 rupees, said Abhishek Chauhan, technical analyst with Angel Commodities. The May zinc futures MZIK9 ended 0.4 percent lower at 70 rupees per kg, while lead for May delivery MLDK9 closed 0.5 percent lower at 67.15 rupees per kg in the previous session. GOLD: Futures are also expected to open slightly higher on the back of a weak rupee, but weak international prices may weigh, analysts said. The benchmark June contract MAUM9 closed 0.07 percent lower at 14,514 rupees per 10 grams in the last session. It may open at 14,525 rupees, said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, director, Commtrendz Research in Mumbai. "It would be a volatile day with no clear direction," said Thiagarajan. "The bias is neutral because rupee has weakened and international prices are down," said Thiagarajan. Gold may trade in the range of 14,360-14,550 rupees on Monday, said Kunal Shah, assistant vice-president with Nirmal Bang Commodities.

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