US copper ends down as Chinese demand worries bite

NEW YORK, June 19 (Reuters) - U.S. copper futures weakened into the close on Friday, tracking a negative reversal in equity markets and surrendering their bullish momentum from growing concerns about over-supply issues in China, the world's top copper consumer.

For detailed report on global copper markets, click on [MET/L]

* Most-active copper for September delivery HGU9 slipped 2.05 cents to settle at $2.2615 a lb on the New York Mercantile Exchange's COMEX division.

* Session range from $2.2520 to $2.3050.

* COMEX estimated futures volume at 26,974 lots by 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT). Final volume on Thursday hit 23,836 lots.

* Open interest up 244 lots at 113,747 contracts open as of June 18.

* Copper ends down in sympathy with late reversal in Dow Jones industrial average .DJI - traders.

* Copper losses limited by weaker dollar after recent batch of economic data dents safe-haven demand for the U.S. currency. [USD/]

* Reports on Thursday showing upbeat U.S. factory and labor data provided more evidence that the global economy is recovering from its deep recession. [MKTS/GLOB]

* Copper rally stalled amid concerns about slowing Chinese demand as the country's restocking phase may be nearing an end - analysts.

* Copper likely to remain under pressure from reduced Chinese import volumes and any appreciation in the U.S. dollar - Catherine Virga, senior base metals analyst with CPM Group in New York.

* Copper inventories in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 13 percent to 68,536 tonnes from 60,647 tonnes a week ago.

* China's copper imports are not likely to remain at the high level seen in May and could weaken in the second half of 2009 - Europe's largest copper producer Aurubis (NAFG.DE) [ID:nLJ869517]

* London Metal Exchange warehouse stocks <LME/STX1> shed 1,250 tonnes on Friday to 280,350 tonnes, compared with levels around 500,000 tonnes in February and March.

* Canceled warrants -- metal set to leave warehouses -- dropped to 15,800 tonnes on Thursday from 17,125 tonnes the previous session.

* COMEX copper stocks CMWSU climbed 360 short tons to 60,138 short tons as of Thursday.