COMEX estimated futures volume at 26,118 lots by 1:00 pm EST (1800 GMT). Final volume on Friday at 22,922 lots. Open interest fell by 901 lots to 142,173 contracts open as of January 15. Anticipation of Chinese trade data and other economic indicators on Thursday supports prices.
China industrial output seen up 20 percent, fastest pace since February 2006, in the year to December - Reuters survey. Investors increasing their long positions. COMEX non-commercial length grew to 22,541 contracts as of January 12, from 16,528 lots the week before. Managed money long positions rose to 23,092 lots from 17,072 lots a week earlier.
Copper gains buck bearish impact of stronger dollar and rising inventory levels. LME warehouse stocks rose by 3,300 tonnes on Tuesday, bringing total levels to an 11-month peak at 526,750 tonnes. COMEX copper stocks climbed 300 short tons to 100,217 short tons as of Friday. LME copper for three-month delivery closed at $7,545 a tonne, up $45 from Monday's close.