Dec 12 (Reuters) - Most non-ferrous metals rose on Tuesday, as a weaker dollar made greenback-priced metals cheaper to holders of other currencies amid caution ahead of a key U.S. inflation data release.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange rose 0.4% to $8,372 per metric ton by 0547 GMT, while the most-traded January copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange dipped 0.4% to 68,120 yuan ($9,492.36) a ton.
The dollar eased as investors stayed cautious prior to the release of a crucial U.S. inflation report later in the day that will set the tone for the week filled with central bank meetings.
"CPI (consumer price index) numbers and the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) might bring some noise later on in the week," said broker Sucden Financial in a report.
"However, with the end of the year approaching, the longer-term volatility is poised to quiet down. This is especially true if data comes in line with expectations," the broker said.
Copper prices were also supported by mine closures and disruptions that have prompted analysts to lower their forecasts for surpluses.
Combined refined copper inventories in SHFE and China's
bonded warehouses dropped to 39,342 tons from 316,176 tons at
the end of the first quarter.
LME aluminium edged up 0.7% to $2,134 a ton, zinc rose 1% to $2,431.50, lead was up 0.6% at $2,069.50, tin advanced 0.7% to $24,525, while nickel dipped 0.3% to $16,555.
SHFE nickel fell 0.7% to 132,050 yuan a ton, lead was almost flat at 15,590 yuan, while aluminium rose 0.5% to 18,455 yuan, zinc climbed 1.2% to 20,860 yuan and tin advanced 0.4% to 207,540 yuan.
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($1 = 7.1763 yuan) (Reporting by Mai Nguyen in Hanoi; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
