MARKET TALK: Copper May Fall Toward $5,300 Near Term - Analyst

LME copper may slide toward $5,300 in short term if equity markets fail to stabilize, says Maike Futures' Shen Haihua, noting slump in Asia stocks today weighing on base metal sentiment with SHFE copper almost limit-down, LME 3-month copper below key technical level of $5,950. Says manufacturing slowdown in Western countries adding to short-term bearish outlook. LME 3-month copper $5,870/ton, down $145 vs London Friday PM kerb; "if prices can't regain $5,950, we have the risk of touching the low levels (of February)."