Shanghai Futures Exchange copper prices slid further on Monday June 25 as China’s equities markets slumped while the safe-haven US dollar rebounded.

Against the background of heavy economic and geopolitical clouds, markets are getting some lift on Friday August 16, presumably since they have absorbed all the latest gloomy news on global economy, trade, the unrest in Hong Kong and debt default concerns in Argentina.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Shanghai as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Tuesday April 17.

Japan’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for May surprised to the upside at 52.8, having been expected to remain at April’s level of 52.5, while China’s Caixin PMI came in at 51.1, which was unchanged from April’s reading. Taking into account yesterday’s better-than-expected reading on China’s official PMI, economic data may be picking up again, which could bode well for the metals.

Most base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange ended the Asian morning trading session on Tuesday June 26 in negative territory, with deepening fears of a China-United States trade war weighing on the sector.

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange are for the most part weaker this morning, Tuesday October 10, with prices down by an average of 0.3%. The exception is copper where three-month prices are up by 0.4% at $6,693 per tonne. The rest are off between 0.1% for tin prices and 0.8% for nickel prices. Volume has been average with 9,001 lots as of 07:11BST.

Iran’s shooting down of a US drone has raised tensions in the Middle East, with gold and oil prices extending gains, while equities in Asia have weakened.

After last week’s stronger tone in the base metals, this week is seeing some weakness with the metals trading on the London Metal Exchange down an average of 0.5% this morning, Wednesday March 22.

Good morning from Metal Bulletin’s offices in Shanghai as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Thursday February 8.

The base metals on the London Metal Exchange and on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mainly firmer this morning, Monday April 20, but broader markets were mixed with equities braced for the release of corporate earnings.