Copper prices cling to vaccine hopes

LONDON: Copper prices were boosted on Thursday by more progress on a possible coronavirus vaccine, the delivery of which could revive the global economy and galvanise metals demand.

Moderna Inc said on Wednesday it had enough data for a first interim analysis of the late-stage trial of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine, which should help determine its efficacy.

Copper, seen as a bellwether for the health of the global economy, hit its highest in 2-1/2 years on Monday after Pfizer said its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective based on initial data from a large study.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) added 0.6% to $6,925 per tonne by 1230 GMT.

"The vaccine news is positive and it should support industrial metals because it means economies can open up," independent consultant Robin Bhar.

"But irrespective of a vaccine, copper fundamentals look great," he said, citing upbeat manufacturing data in recent weeks and supply concerns.

CHINA ECONOMY: China's new bank loans fell more than expected in October, but the drop was likely seasonal and policymakers are expected to maintain solid support for the economy as the global pandemic rages on.

The world's top consumer of metals will speed up the spending of special funds allocated to local governments to help support the economy.

Chinese government stimulus has propped up the virus-hit economy.

COPPER PREMIUMS: The Yangshan copper premium dropped to $46 a tonne, its lowest since April 2017, pointing to lean demand for imported copper into China.

ZINC: The global zinc concentrate market is forecast to switch back to a surplus in 2021, after a short-lived deficit this year, Chinese metals research house Antaike said.

PRICES: Aluminium rose 0.5% to $1,927.50 per tonne,

zinc was steady at $2,625, lead added 0.5% $1,884, tin was barely changed at $18,205 while nickel eased 0.1% to $15,995.