MARKET TALK: LME Copper Likely To Range $7,700-$8,000 S/T

LME 3-month copper likely to continue range trading between $7,700-$7,800/ton in short term as market lacks strong cues, technicals suggest consolidation, says trader at Japan house. Copper dipped in morning but regained lost ground on lack of follow-through selling, with trading mostly thin, speculative, possibly chart-based, he says. LME 3-month copper last at $7,870/ton, +$10 on London PM kerb, trading in narrow $70 range. Notes possible nationwide strike by miners in Peru that could begin as early as this weekend would support copper market, but unlikely to push it higher.