Investor's are skeptical on mounting U.S. and Euro zone debt problems as U.S. lawmakers called off a vote to raise the debt limit and Spain under review for downgrade of its credit rating by Moody's lead the metals to remain in lackluster mode. The dollar strengthened against the euro despite the worries on U.S. debt ceiling. Dollar Index, benchmark measure against a basket of 6 major currencies, was 0.41% higher at 74.44 compared to the previous day that ended at 74.1. In the domestic market, Nickel was trading flat at Rs. 1081.6 per kg and Aluminium was also flat at Rs. 114.35 per kg. MCX Zinc depreciated by 1.18% or Rs. 1.3 at Rs. 109.5 per kg and Lead shed by 1.28% or Rs. 1.5 at Rs. 119.15 per kg. Copper for delivery in August tested a high of Rs. 438.35 per kg in intraday and is now trading flat at Rs. 435.75 per kg. Copper futures October contract in Shanghai ended at 72660 yuan per tonne, down 90 yuan or 0.12% lower. Comex Copper futures most active September contract was trading at $4.4505 a pound, down by just 2 cents compared to the previous day that ended at $4.4695 a pound.

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