Copper shed 3 percent on Thursday after softer-than-expected Chinese trade data underscored concerns the metal-consuming giant's may be unable to sustain its growth trend in a slowing global economy. In New York, the key December COMEX contract lost 8.65 cents or 2.55 percent to settle at $3.3070 per lb, after dealing between $3.2860 and $3.3745. Volumes picked up a bit on Thursday from the week's generally slow pace.
About 58,000 lots traded in New York, up more than 5 percent from the 30-day norm and at their highest level in nearly a week, according to preliminary Thomson Reuters data.