LONDON June 11 (Reuters) - Copper prices eased on Friday on worries over economic recovery as investors mulled mixed data on Chinese output and inflation. A batch of mixed Chinese economic data showed inflation quickening to a 19-month high in May, although a moderation of growth in factory output and capital spending eased worries for some that the world's third-largest economy could overheat. [ID:nTOE65A019] China, the world's top base metals consumer, also posted a record level of primary aluminium output in May, but a slower rate of production is expected in June as low prices spur cuts by smelters. [ID:nTOE65907H] "China doesn't want to slow growth," said David Wilson, an analyst at Societe Generale. "If there is going to be a double-dip (recession) in the rest of the world, which the market thinks is a possibility, China is going to ensure it's not really impacted. "It is going to maintain spending levels and maintain stimulus spending ... There is still every reason to see that China is going to continue to grow." On Thursday, data showed China's copper imports at around 397,000 tonnes were slightly below forecasts, but analysts had expected a drop from April's 436,345 tonnes as measures to cool growth rates and slow property speculation took hold. [ID:nTOE657073] PRICES * Three-month copper CMCU3 on the London Metal Exchange was at $6,388 a tonne by 0755 GMT compared with Thursday's close of $6,410 per tonne while aluminium CMAL3 was $1 lower at $1,950. DATA/EVENTS * UK industrial and manufacturing production for April at 0830 GMT. * UK producer prices for May at 0830 GMT. * U.S. retail sales for May at 1230 GMT. * Thomson Reuters/Univ of Mich June preliminary consumer sentiment at 1355 GMT. * U.S. business inventories for April at 1400 GMT. * U.S. ECRI weekly at 1430 GMT. [ECI/US] [ECI/EURO] [ECI/GB] [M/DIARY] [MTL/DIARY] MARKET NEWS * Asian stocks rose for a fourth day on optimism that the world economic recovery was on track despite Europe's debt woes, while the euro was steady after a rally the previous day. [MKTS/GLOB] * The euro ran into headwinds above $1.21 as profit-booking set in when it failed to push through hefty resistance, and investors took a lack of surprises in Chinese data to book gains in the Aussie dollar. [USD/] * Oil slid following data showing weaker-than-expected Chinese industrial output for May, though investor confidence in the country's growth helped prices hold above $75, headed for a weekly gain of 5 percent. [O/R] * U.S. stocks posted their best day in the last nine on Thursday in response to signs of health in the euro debt market and as investors snapped up energy shares crushed in the previous day's sell-off. [.N] FUNDAMENTALS * Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd denied on Friday talk of a swift deal with miners over his controversial mining tax, as global miner BHP Billiton rejected a rumoured tax compromise affecting the nation's top export sector. [ID:nSGE6590LQ] * A Philippine province is almost certain to ban open pit mining due to environmental concerns, its governor said on Thursday, a move that could threaten development of one of Southeast Asia's richest copper-gold mines. [ID:nSGE6590LL] * Copper and oil prices could leap on strong industrial demand in coming months and gold may rise further on inflation-linked buying, suggesting a new wave of gains for commodities. [ID:nN10567097] * Global copper prices are expected to remain volatile in the medium term, Xstrata Copper(XTA.L: Quote) Chief Executive Charlie Sartain said on Thursday. [ID:nN10217125] * Mexican miners clashed briefly with federal police on Thursday at the Cananea copper mine, raising tensions which could complicate owner Grupo Mexico's efforts to reopen the pit after a nearly 3-year-long strike was broken. [ID:nN10264269] * China's production of refined copper rose 4.7 percent from a month earlier in May thanks to steady domestic demand and new capacity. [ID:nTOE65907H] * Australia's second biggest nickel miner, Minara Resources (MRE.AX: Quote), will resume normal nickel production next week following repairs to its Murrin Murrin mine, it said on Friday. [ID:nSYU010059] TECHNICALS * Copper support at $6,223, resistance $6,475, and 14-day RSI at 41.9. * Aluminium support at $1,900, resistance at $1,973, and 14-day RSI 44.6. (Reporting by Michael Taylor; editing by Jane Baird)

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