Copper managed to eke out a minor gain by the close on Wednesday, buoyed by a weaker dollar and upbeat US jobs data, although inflation concerns from higher oil prices continued to limit the upside. Down about 3 percent from record highs at $10,190 per tonne in London and $4.6575 per lb in New York, copper prices remain tethered to the volatile energy markets, where oil prices rose Wednesday to within sight of 2-1/2-year highs.
COMEX copper for May delivery shed 1.15 cents to finish at $4.4980 per lb, after dealing between $4.4540 and $4.5185.