METALS-Copper extends fall, investors hope for stimulus

6.8 percent fall in output in July from a month earlier to 483,000 tonnes,
official data showed, as large stockpiles and weak demand prompted smelters to
reduce production. 
    "Given that industrial production in China was down in July, it makes sense
that metals production also fell last month," Commerzbank said in a note.
    "Due to the summer slump and low copper prices, and the recent sharper
increase again in stocks on the SHFE, Chinese copper producers have carried out
more maintenance work and thus cut their capacity utilization. Together with the
lower import figures ... this is evidence at the same time of the currently
somewhat muted demand in China."