COMEX Copper futures stayed under continued stress yesterday on broad demand worries. The World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Thursday that its latest quarterly outlook indicator suggests that below-trend expansion in merchandise trade will persist in the coming months. It showed growth in global goods trade likely to weaken, with a reading of 95.7. In its previous quarterly report in May, the WTO said that growth was likely to remain weak, with a reading of 96.3. The metal had has slipped from a two week high and currently trades at $2.60 per pound, up 0.30% on the day. MCX Copper is set to see a mixed start after ending at Rs 448.05 per kg on Wednesday, down half a percent on the day.

Copper traders are also eyeing the recent array of Chinese data. China's industrial output growth eased to 4.8% in July from 6.3% in June, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Wednesday. Growth in retail sales also slowed to 7.6% from 9.8% a month ago. This was the weakest growth in three months. During January to July period, fixed asset investment in China recorded an annual growth of 5.7% compared to 5.8% increase in January to June.

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