METALS-LME copper eases from near two-month high; eyes U.S.
SINGAPORE, Dec 11 (Reuters) - London copper eased on Tuesday from near two-month highs struck the previous session, as gains on signs of recovery in top consumer China's growth momentum were capped by concerns over a lack of resolution to a looming U.S. fiscal crisis.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange slipped by 0.35 percent to $8,111.50 a tonne by 0108 GMT, reversing gains from the previous session when it hit its highest since Oct. 19 at $8,159 a tonne.
* Most LME metals hit their highest in around two months on Monday except for outperformer tin, which jumped by six percent, striking its loftiest since April 5. Tin prices have been supported by falling stocks and short covering.
* The most-traded March copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange was little changed at 57,940 yuan ($9,300) a tonne.
* The White House and House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner's office held more negotiations on Monday on ways to break the "fiscal cliff" stalemate, although neither side showed any public signs that they were ready to give ground.
* European partners urged the next Italian government on Monday to stick to Prime Minister Mario Monti's reform agenda, after his decision to resign early and Silvio Berlusconi's return to frontline politics rattled financial markets.
* Economic growth appears to be gathering traction in the United States and Britain, while China and Italy may be about to turn up, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said on Monday.
* ThyssenKrupp AG, Germany's top steelmaker, posted a massive 4.7 billion euro ($6.1 billion) net loss for the year as it took a painful write-down on steel mills in the United States and Brazil that it is trying to sell.
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MARKETS NEWS
* Asian shares and the euro steadied on Tuesday, drawing support from expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will take fresh economic stimulus measures this week.
* The euro extended its recovery from a two-week low on Tuesday as nerves calmed over Italy's latest political turmoil and the prospects of more stimulus from the Federal Reserve pinned down the dollar.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 1000 Germany ZEW survey Dec 1245 U.S. ICSC weekly U.S. chain store sales 1330 U.S. International trade Oct 1355 U.S. Redbook weekly retail sales 1500 U.S. ISM semi-annual forecasts 1500 U.S. Wholesale inventories Oct 1500 U.S. IBD/TIPP Consumer confidence index Dec Federal Open Market Committee starts first day of a two-day interest rate policy meeting
PRICES
Base metals prices at 0108 GMT
Metal Last Change Pct Move YTD pct chg LME Cu 8111.50 -28.50 -0.35 6.73 SHFE CU FUT MAR3 57940 -40 -0.07 4.66 HG COPPER MAR3 369.80 -0.80 -0.22 7.63 LME Alum 2123.00 -8.00 -0.38 5.10 SHFE AL FUT MAR3 15465 20 +0.13 -2.40 LME Zinc 2076.00 -9.00 -0.43 12.52 SHFE ZN FUT MAR3 15620 45 +0.29 5.58 LME Nickel 17710.00 -65.00 -0.37 -5.34 LME Lead 2294.00 -4.00 -0.17 12.73 SHFE PB FUT 0.00 -15290.00 -100.00 -100.00 LME Tin 22700.00 -390.00 -1.69 18.23 LME/Shanghai arb^ 1272
Shanghai and COMEX contracts show most active months ($1 = 6.2451 Chinese yuan)
(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Himani Sarkar)