Base metals moved higher on Friday, erasing previous losses on weak fresh PMI releases from the US, China and Eurozone. At the same time, inability of Eurozone's leaders to agree on measures to solve spreading debt crisis weighted down on the industrial metals.
Aluminum posted mild gain despite higher inventories at the LME warehouses and softer global shares.
Copper inched up on news that refined copper output was in deficit of 473,000 tons in H1 of 2012 compared to a deficit of 131,000 tons in H1 of 2011.
Nickel topped 20-week high on stronger Euro and a 24% decline in inventories at the LME-listed warehouses. Stronger spot demand from alloy-makers also boosted the base metal.
Zinc advanced on improved spot market activity and weaker US Dollar. However, soft global equities and weak manufacturing activity data capped the upswing of the metal.