MUMBAI, July 21 (Reuters) - India's copper futures may open slightly lower on Tuesday tracking overseas markets, analysts said. The most-traded August contract MCCQ9 on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) ended 0.9 percent higher at 261.45 rupees per kg in the previous session. MCX August copper may open at 261 rupees per kg, said Aurobinda Prasad, deputy manager-research, Karvy Comtrade in Hyderabad. "There might be profit-taking today or tomorrow on copper's inability to breach the crucial 265 rupees resistance level. Shanghai copper retreated from a nine-month high hit on Monday, in a pullback from the 11 percent gains made in a rally over the previous five sessions. Copper may trade in the range of 257-264 rupees, said Abhishek Chauhan, technical analyst with Angel Commodities. The July zinc contract MZIN9 closed 3 percent higher at 79.35 rupees per kg, while lead for July delivery MLDN9 ended 0.7 percent higher at 81.45 rupees per kg in the last session. GOLD: India's gold futures may open flat tracking similar markets overseas, analysts said. The benchmark August gold MAUQ9 closed 0.6 percent higher at 14,850 rupees in the previous session. The contract is likely to open at 14,820-14,825 rupees per 10 grams, said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, director, Commtrendz Research. "There might be a slight correction initially, but gold might bounce back on inflationary pressures overseas." "14,760-14,770 rupees should hold on the downside," added Thiagarajan. Spot gold was quoted at $949.80 an ounce, little changed from New York's close of $948.35. Gold may be in the range of 14,800-15,000 rupees, said Krishna Reddy, an analyst with Way 2 Wealth Securities. (Reporting by Siddesh Mayenkar; Editing by Prem Udayabhanu)

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