LONDON, (PNA/Xinhua) — The base metal prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) closed mixed on Tuesday, with zinc and aluminum closing higher on signs U.S. demand will quicken.
Aluminum and zinc prices rose as a jump in home building fueled speculation that demand will accelerate in the U.S., the world’s second-biggest consumer of industrial metals.
U.S. homebuilders broke ground on more houses in July and applications for building permits also increased compared with the prior month, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported Tuesday.
The three-month unofficial zinc price increased USD 21, or 0.92 percent, to USD 2305 a tonne.
The three-month unofficial aluminum price increased USD 19.5, or 0.97 percent, to USD 2,036.5 a tonne.
The three-month unofficial copper price dropped USD 32, or 0.46 percent, to USD 6,879 per tonne.
The three-month unofficial lead price increased USD 9, or 0.41 percent, to USD 2,227 a tonne.
The three-month unofficial nickel price lost USD 25, or 0.13 percent, to USD 18,575 a tonne.
The three-month unofficial tin price lost USD 25, or 0. 11 percent, to USD 22,400 a tonne.