MARKET TALK: Copper Outlook Mixed, Faces Uncertainty -NA

Copper market giving off mixed signals, as uncertainty lingers over weakness of U.S. housing sector, strength of Chinese demand, confirmation of trends needed, says Norddeutsche Affineria AG report. NA attributes copper's recent decline to below $7,000 mostly to "extensive closing of funds positions and the build-up of new sales commitments." Notes de-stocking in China appears ended, imports likely to rise, but global supply unlikely to be disrupted in short term, as no strikes can be expected until January 2007. LME 3-month copper last at $7,120/ton, down $55 on London PM.