MARKET TALK: LME In Range; Eye FOMC, Copper Strike Threat

LME metals are rangebound in early trade Tuesday, eyeing the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision - due 1915 GMT, to provide direction for the US currency, says a trader. "For now trade has been sluggish and we're sitting in the middle of the range. Copper looks more buoyant, but there has been little fresh newsflow from the potential strike at (Xstrata's) Altonorte smelter," the trader says. LME 3-month copper trades at $6,950/ton, up $30 on the Monday PM kerb.