MARKET TALK: LME Copper Stks To Rise In Asia, Arbitrage End

LME copper stocks in Asia could rise significantly after LME price rise, putting end to Chinese copper "buying splurge" of January-March, says physical trader; says LME arbitrage advantage over Shanghai Futures Exchange reverses, could mean 50,000-100,000 tons of copper delivered into LME warehouses in Asia next 2-3 months as Chinese consumers rely on domestic supplies. LME 3-month copper hit 5-month high of $7,445/ton overnight, now at $7,380, down $25 from PM kerb.