MARKET TALK: China Demand To Buoy LME Copper Above $5,000

Expectations of much higher China copper demand for 2007 will likely prevent prices from sinking through $5,000/ton, says China-based analyst; says consumer demand expected to rise 8% in '07 after paltry 3.5% growth last year. "After worries about further hedge fund losses calm down, we see a recovery in prices. A stronger correlation between fundamentals and price should re-emerge." LME 3-month copper last at $5,362/ton, +$27 vs PM kerb.