Copper futures end almost flat on Tuesday

Copper futures ended almost flat on Tuesday on the concern over Chinese demand for the industrial metal after some weaker than expected economic data from the country on Monday. The HSBC Chinese Purchasing Managers' Index for April printed at 48.1 Monday, weaker than the initial reading of 48.3 which indicates the world's second-largest economy continues to struggle. However, the signals that a US recovery is taking hold capped some losses in copper prices to some extent. Copper futures for July delivery closed up 0.1% to settle at $3.057 a pound on the Comex metals division of New York Mercantile Exchange. While, copper on the London Metal Exchange closed down 0.04% at $6,716 a metric ton.