With a 2.3 percent increase over the past day, the copper cash price was the biggest mover on the LME, closing at $8,112 per metric ton on Jan. 3, 2013. After a 2.1 percent increase, the copper 3-month price finished the day on the LME at $8,084 per metric ton.

The price of US copper producer grade 122 showed little movement on Thursday at $4.21 per pound. The cash price of primary Japanese copper saw little movement at JPY 640,000 ($7,332) per metric ton. The price of US copper producer grade 102 saw little price change on Thursday at $4.40 per pound. The price of US copper producer grade 110 held steady on Thursday, remaining around $4.21 per pound.

Chinese copper prices were flat for the day. The price of Chinese copper bar remained essentially flat at CNY 58,050 ($9,311) per metric ton. The Chinese copper cash price remained essentially flat at CNY 58,250 ($9,343) per metric ton. Chinese copper wire stayed flat at around CNY 56,950 ($9,135) per metric ton. The price of Chinese bright copper scrap held steady at CNY 47,900 ($7,683) per metric ton.