Copper fell 3 percent on Wednesday on investor concerns that elevated crude oil prices could lead to inflation and crimp global growth, denting demand for industrial metals. COMEX May copper lost 12.6 cents to settle at $4.2125 per lb, after dealing between $4.3790 and $4.1830 - a 2-1/2 month low.
The May contract partially recovered losses after bouncing off technical support at its 100-day moving average. Zinc and lead recorded heavier losses and hit lows at almost 7 percent and over 4 percent, respectively.