Zinc prices on Tuesday fell 0.57 per cent to Rs 158.20 per kg in futures trade as speculators cut bets amid easing demand at spot market.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange, zinc contracts for May delivery moved down by 90 paise, or 0.57 per cent, to Rs 158.20 per kg in a business turnover of 3 lots.
Analysts said offloading of positions by traders owing to slackened demand from consuming industries in physical market mainly weighed on zinc prices in futures trade here.
Nickel
Nickel prices on Tuesday gained Rs 3.10 to Rs 937.20 per kg in futures trade as speculators built positions on rising demand from alloy-makers at spot market.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange, nickel contracts for March delivery gained Rs 3.10, or 0.33 per cent, to Rs 937.20 per kg in a business turnover of 1,711 lots.
Similarly, the metal for April delivery traded higher by Rs 1.80, or 0.19 per cent, at Rs 936.10 per kg in a business turnover of 12 lots.
Rising demand in spot market from alloy-makers mainly supported price rise in
nickel futures, analysts said.
Copper
Copper prices on Tuesday rose 0.34 per cent to Rs 430.45 per kg in futures trade as speculators enlargened positions amid pick-up in demand.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange, copper contracts for delivery in March traded higher by Rs 1.45, or 0.34 per cent, at Rs 430.45 per kg in a business turnover of 2,475 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in April edged up by Rs 1.25, or 0.29 per cent, to Rs 433.55 per kg in 60 lots.
Analysts attributed the rise in copper prices to raising of bets by participants driven by pick-up in spot demand.