METALS-Copper edges to another 6-week high, lifted by China hopes

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Copper edged higher on Tuesday, touching another six-week high on optimism that top copper consumer China is on the road to recovery, but concern over U.S. economic and fiscal issues kept gains in check. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange touched an intraday peak of $8,068.50, the strongest since Oct. 19 and the fourth successive day of gains. Copper did not trade at the close, but was bid at $8,030, up $25 from Monday's close. The metal, mainly used in power and construction, also touched a six-week high on Monday after data showed the pace of activity in China's manufacturing sector quickened for the first time in 13 months in November, adding to evidence its economy is reviving. Copper has added 7 percent since Nov. 9. China consumes about 40 percent of global copper supply. U.S. data, however, weighed on the market, showing the U.S. manufacturing sector had unexpectedly contracted in November, falling to its lowest in over three years. "The Chinese manufacturing data was well received but the U.S. data was below expectations which is what took us down later on yesterday and earlier today," said metals analyst Ivan Szpakowski at Credit Suisse. "But we think copper is going to continue to rally in the next couple of months as from here on we should see some macro improvement. We see China getting better and we think there is good potential for restocking activity both in the U.S. and in Europe."

FISCAL CLIFF Lack of progress on the U.S. "fiscal cliff" talks about potential spending cuts and tax hikes also kept a lid on prices after the White House dismissed a proposal from congressional Republicans. Any kind of successful resolution to the fiscal issue would unleash a significant inflow of money into risk assets including commodity and base metals, according to analysts. INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir believes a deal among U.S. lawmakers is highly likely. "While there may be occasional setbacks, we still expect an ultimate agreement, leading to a firmer tone in practically all markets heading into year-end," Meir said in a note. High inventories of copper in Asia and a looming increase in global copper supply in 2013, however, are likely to cap gains. Copper stocks in China's bonded warehouses hit a record high of more than 1 million tonnes in November and are expected to rise by a further 100,000 tonnes by the end of the year due to weak domestic demand, traders said. Most other LME metals suffered losses. Aluminium closed 1.2 percent weaker at $2,094 a tonne while battery material lead fell 1.1 percent to 2,231.50 and zinc lost 0.9 percent to $2,022.50. Tin and nickel fared slightly better. Tin ended down only 0.1 percent at $21,825 a tonne and nickel added $5 to $17,505.

Metal Prices at 1733 GMT Comex copper in cents/lb, LME prices in $/T and SHFE prices in yuan/T

Metal Last Change Pct Move End 2011 Ytd Pct

move

COMEX Cu 364.90 0.10 +0.03 344.75 5.84 LME Alum 2092.50 -27.50 -1.30 2020.00 3.59 LME Cu 8037.00 32.00 +0.40 7600.00 5.75 LME Lead 2232.50 -23.50 -1.04 2034.00 9.76 LME Nickel 17479.00 -21.00 -0.12 18650.00 -6.28 LME Tin 21733.00 -122.00 -0.56 19200.00 13.19 LME Zinc 2023.50 -16.50 -0.81 1845.00 9.67 SHFE Alu 15395.00 -65.00 -0.42 15845.00 -2.84 SHFE Cu* 57250.00 -270.00 -0.47 55360.00 3.41 SHFE Zin 15290.00 -145.00 -0.94 14795.00 3.35 * Benchmark month for COMEX copper * 3rd contract month for SHFE AL, CU and ZN

SHFE ZN began trading on 26/3/07