MARKET TALK: China Copper Data Bullish; Domestic Output Flat

China data on January refined copper imports +44% on year at 229,077 tons strongly bulllish for demand growth, particularly as domestic metal output is flat, says senior trader in Shanghai; December data on China copper output showed growth of 2.1% on year at 248,500 tons. "This points to high imports going forward." LME 3-month copper trades at $5,500/ton, up $30.