Copper Gains First Day in Four on Stronger U.S. Economic Data

Copper pared a second weekly drop after reports from the U.S. showed manufacturing gathered pace this month, spurring speculation demand may gain in the second- largest consumer. Aluminum, zinc and lead also climbed.

The metal for three-month delivery on the London Metal Exchange rose for the first time in four days, advancing as much as 1.2 percent to $9,921 a metric ton. It traded at $9,875 by 12:22 p.m. Shanghai time. Copper for May delivery on the Shanghai Futures Exchange climbed 0.2 percent to 74,800 yuan （$11,370） a ton by the midday break.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s general economic index, a gauge of manufacturing, rose to 35.9 in February, the highest level since January 2004

Aluminum in London rose 0.6 percent to $2,528 a ton, zinc gained 1.3 percent to $2,544 a ton, and lead climbed 1.4 percent to $2,620 a ton. Nickel added 0.4 percent to $28,600 a ton, and tin advanced 0.7 percent to $31,880 a ton.