Worst week since 2014 for copper futures as China's frenzy cools; nickel near 2-week lows

Johannesburg

COPPER had the biggest weekly loss since 2014 amid mounting concerns about the strength of demand in China, where authorities have taken steps to cool a speculative frenzy.

The metal posted a 5.7 per cent loss last week on the Comex in New York, while aluminium and nickel slid more than 4 per cent on the London Metal Exchange as Chinese exchanges took steps to limit speculation.