Three-month base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were for the most part firmer this morning, Wednesday March 20.
The exceptions were copper and tin prices that were both down by 0.1%, with copper at $6,454 per tonne, compared with $6,459 per tonne at Tuesday's close. The rest were up by between 0.2% for aluminium and 0.6% for both zinc and lead. Volume was average, with 6,563 lots traded on LME Select as at 7.05am London time, compared with 6,236 lots at a similar time on Tuesday. Spot precious metals prices were mixed: gold and silver were down by 0.3% and 0.5% respectively, with gold at $1,302.59 per oz, compared with $1,306.10 per oz at the close on Tuesday, while platinum and palladium prices were up by 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. In China, base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mainly firmer, the exception being May copper that was off by 0.1% at 49,190 yuan ($7,329) per tonne, compared with 49,250 yuan per tonne at...