* GRAPHIC-2019 asset returns: (Updates with closing prices)By Eric OnstadLONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - Copper and other base metalsrecovered on Wednesday from the previous day's losses, buoyed byhopes for a U.S.-China trade deal and stronger economic growthin top metals consumer China.The White House said that top U.S. officials will travel toBeijing for trade talks next week, with one leading officialexpressing optimism about striking a deal. Most industrial metals declined on Tuesday after comments byChinese officials dampened hopes for more stimulus measures."It looks like the market is shifting its focus more towardsthe trade negotiations and also the brightening outlook forChinese economy in the second half of the year," said JuliusBaer analyst Carsten Menke."This is, however, already reflected in copper prices atlevels around $6,400-$6,500. In order to push prices higher fromhere, there would need to be more positive data, more positivesurprises, which might be difficult to achieve." Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange added 0.6 percent to $6,448 a tonne in closing open-outcryactivity, having shed 1.1 percent on Tuesday.Investors will look to China's April purchasing managersindex (PMI), due next week, for further evidence on China'seconomy after a strong figure in March, said Argonaut Securitiesanalyst Helen Lau.
* DOLLAR: Gains were capped by the U.S. dollar , whichwas steady on Wednesday after rising to a 22-month high. Astronger dollar makes dollar-denominated metals more expensivefor buyers using other currencies.
* ALUMINIUM STOCKS: LME aluminium inventories fell by 14,175tonnes to 1,032,925 tonnes, the lowest since last October, dailyLME data showed on Wednesday.LME aluminium rose 0.3 percent to finish at $1,872 atonne, supported by buying from computer-driven funds andconsumers, Alastair Munro at broker Marex Spectron said in anote.
LEAD TECHNICALS: LME lead on Tuesday showed a chartpattern known as a "key reversal down", which could add furtherbearish pressure, said Eddie Tofpik at broker ADM InvestorServices International. "This is actually quite significant, sowatch out."
LME lead gained 0.4 percent to end at $1,925 a tonneafter dropping 1.2 percent in the previous session. It is theworst-performing LME metal so far this year, having declined byabout 5 percent.
* SHANGAHI OPEN INTEREST: Surging open interest in zinc andnickel on the Shanghai Futures Exchange points to large shortpositions being established there, said Munro at Marex. Forinstance, aggregate open interest in nickel has soared 31percent since April 15, he said.Nickel was up 0.2 percent at $12,410 at 1600 GMTafter touching a two-month low on Tuesday.
* PRICES: Zinc dipped by 0.2 percent to close at$2,742 a tonne and tin shed 1 percent to $19,700, itslowest since Jan. 8.
* For the top stories in metals and other news, click or <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Top Base and Precious Metals Analysis - GFMS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Additonal reporting by Mai Nguyen in SingaporeEditing by David Goodman)