Shanghai Futures Exchange copper edged up by 0.6 percent to 47750 yuan ($6,931) a tonne on Friday, while a ramp-up in China's factory activity and fresh investor buys are expected to drive prices higher in the April quarter. Activity in China's manufacturing sector unexpectedly expanded at the fastest pace in nearly five years in March, adding to evidence that the world's second-largest economy has gained momentum early this year, an official survey showed on Friday.
"Long-term core numbers like these, especially in China, will underpin the global economy, and in turn could start to trigger the much-talked-about infrastructure projects, and thus, physical metals buying," Kingdom Futures said in a report.