Dafydd Davies has stepped down from his position as a physical metals trader at Goldman Sachs and is set to move to rival investment bank BTG Pactual in November, a source familiar with the matter told Metal Bulletin.

Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange were up during Asian trading on hopes that weak manufacturing data from China last week would trigger stimulus measures.

Metal Bulletin's editor Alex Harrison looks back over the main stories of the week.

Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange fell below the key $6,500 mark following the tumble in crude oil prices before rallying back slightly in Asian trade on Friday November 28.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly little changed to weaker during Asian morning trading on Friday June 28, with aluminium leading on the downside.

A wave of risk-on is flowing through broader markets this morning, Monday August 19, on expectations that central banks will provide stimulus going forward to cushion moves toward recession.

Base metals prices were mixed on the London Metal Exchange on the morning of Wednesday August 22, with weakness seen in copper, lead and zinc, while nickel and tin prices increased and aluminium remained unchanged.

The markets remain in limbo this morning, Friday September 20, while they wait for any news from the initial talks that are underway between deputy trade negotiators in the United States.

Asian equities and most of the base metals are in positive territory after United States President Donald Trump sounded more positive on a US-China trade deal when he said talks are “moving right along”.

Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were all down during Asian morning trading on Tuesday June 19, with concerns of a full-blown trade war between the United States and China denting market sentiment and inducing a wave of selling across the complex.