Copper closed broadly flat after seesaw trade on Thursday, as early technical buying after a plunge on Wednesday was stemmed by persistent fears of a eurozone recession that could hammer demand from top consumer China. In New York, the key March COMEX contract reversed early gains to settle at $3.2670 per lb., down 1.15 cents or 0.35 percent. It extended losses in after-hours, trading at $3.2525 per lb.
Among other metals, aluminium closed at $1,975, after a $1,962 close on Wednesday when it sank to a 2011 trough.