Industrial metals tumbled on Thursday amid dismal economic data releases from China. However, speculation that the central bank of China as well as the ECB may launch more growth-boosting programs limited losses of the base metals pack.
Aluminum retreated despite falling wholesale inventories in the US and global easing hopes.
Copper plunged as weak China's economic data dented demand prospects for the red metal. Adding pressure on the copper prices, US Dollar appreciated against its major counterparts on positive data from the US.
Nickel slumped as market continued to remain in surplus. However, an increase in cancelled warrants at LME restricted the downside.
Zinc sank after dismal China's trade figures. High inventory levels and weak spot demand also weighed on zinc prices.