[Ferro-Alloys.com] The LME's three-month copper contract on Friday was down 0.1 per cent at $US6,945 a metric ton at the PM kerb close. The metal earlier rose to $US6,983.75 a metric ton, its highest price since March 7.

Some firm US labour data in the previous session initially lent support to copper prices on Friday. The Labour Department said the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 312,000 in the week ended June 21. Copper's widespread use in construction and manufacturing make it sensitive to shifts in economic outlook.

Copper prices have also been buoyed this week by some upbeat manufacturing data from top metals consumer, China.

Prices slipped, however, on Friday as higher prices tempted some investors to sell.

"Copper has had a good run this week but it is running out of steam," said David Madden, an analyst at IG.

• [Editor:Yueleilei]