US MIDDAY: copper rises

Copper ended higher in choppy trade on Thursday as tight supplies underpinned values and a better performance on US trade buoyed third-quarter growth prospects in the world's largest economy. In New York, the key December COMEX contract rose 1.15 cents to settle at $4.1435 per lb, after dealing between $4.0865 and $4.1595.
After the close, prices dipped into negative territory before holding near the $4.13 level. The day began with softer-than-expected US data showing new jobless claims unexpectedly rose last week, which pulled industrial metals and equities lower. President Barack Obama later on Thursday is due to lay out a major jobs package.