Copper prices edged lower on Friday after China's inflation cooled a notch as expected, but an uncertain global economic outlook is likely to keep prices rangebound. Shanghai's most-active copper futures contract closed down 0.2 percent at 67,620 yuan ($10,592) a tonne, finishing the week down 0.3 percent after two straight weeks of gains.
"The sentiment in the market is still fickle," said a Shanghai-based trader. "Even though the inflation rate has eased, people are not sure if it means inflation has peaked and policy will be loosened."