US copper futures tracked London prices higher early Wednesday, then turned lower on concerns about mounting supply, a rising dollar and rollover selling, traders said. But, they added, trading volumes remained light and dealings were mainly restricted to locals.

The COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange's copper for December delivery was down 0.80 cent at $1.83 a lb., setting a double bottom at the session low of $1.8230. The high was $1.8480 a lb.

With the November contract expiring on the 28th, some players have already begun selling their December copper contracts and moving them into March futures. Spot November fell 0.50 cent to $1.9270 a lb., and March lost 0.85 to $1.7760.

Copyright Reuters, 2005