METALS-Copper hits record on healthier China demanhttps://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/markets-metals-idUSLDE71D0PP20110214
* Copper, tin rally to record highs
* China copper imports trigger demand-driven rally
* Rusal says institutions eye UK ETF listing in weeks
* Coming up: China consumer price index for January (Recasts, adds New York dateline/byline, updates with New York closing copperprice, adds analyst comments)
By Chris Kelly and Rebekah Curtis
NEW YORK/LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Copper rallied to a record high onMonday, after a surprise jump in Chinese imports reinforced prospects forrobust global demand and raised hopes of extended restocking by the world's topconsumer.
Copper, often viewed as a barometer for the global economy due to its usein construction and power, posted its biggest daily gain in about two weeks, asthe data suggested China's growth remained intact despite recent tighteningmeasures.
"It could very well be that the Chinese economy is running hotter thananyone thinks," said Bart Melek, vice president and director of commoditieswith TD Bank Financial Group.
London Metal Exchange (LME) copper for three-month delivery CMCU3extended gains to a record $10,170.25 per tonne in after-hours trade, havingclosed up $199 at $10,160, matching the previous high.
COMEX copper for March delivery HGH1 added 9.25 cents, or 2 percent, tosettle at $4.6285 per lb. The session range ran from $4.5435 to $4.6345, withthe high coming within a hair of last week's record at $4.6375.