Metalnewsnet 14 Apr:

Copper, aluminum and zinc climbed as equities gained and a global economic recovery led by Asia gathered pace, boosting confidence that demand for raw materials will increase.

Copper for three-month delivery rose as much as 0.9 percent to $7,968 a metric ton and traded at $7,940 a ton at 9:48 a.m. local time. Aluminum gained as much as 0.4 percent to $2,445 a ton, just below $2,447 traded yesterday, the highest level since Oct. 1, 2008. Zinc increased 0.8 percent to $2,405.

The economy in China, the biggest metals consumer, may have expanded 11.7 percent in the first quarter, the fastest pace in almost three years, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 24 economists. That compares with a 10.7 percent gain in the previous quarter from a year earlier. Singapore unexpectedly revalued its currency, triggering the biggest increase in 10 months, after the government raised forecasts for growth and inflation.

Editor: KylinTse