Gold futures ended higher in quiet trade yesterday as the market took a breather amid a resilient U.S. dollar, and bullion investors focused on today's Federal Reserve's policy-setting statement. Gold for December delivery settled at $947.60 (U.S.) an ounce, up 70 cents.

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LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Copper slipped on Tuesday as the
market paused to assess data from top consumer China on economic
growth and metals demand, showing an end to record inflows of
the metal used in power and construction.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange
closed at $6,030 a tonne from $6,135 at the close on Monday,
when it touched a 10-month high of $6,258 a tonne.

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BHP cautions on outlook for metals

BHP said demand in China and India had returned earlier
than many had expected, driven mainly by restocking, but it
noted the rebuilding of stocks in China was now largely over.
It also left a question mark over signs of a pickup in
developed markets.

CLOSING PRICES (SPOT)

Nickel US$/lb 8.81 -0.32

Copper US$/lb n/a n/a

Gold US$/troy ounce 945.65 -0.35

Silver US$/troy ounce 13.33 -1.06

Lead US$/lb 0.81 -0.03

Zinc US$/lb 0.81 -0.02

Aluminum US$/lb 0.86 -0.02

Oil West Texas US$/bbl 69.45 -1.15

Nat Gas Henry Hub US$ mmbtu 3.54 -0.01

Nat.Gas AECO C C$/gigajoule 2.97 -0.07

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24 Hour Base Metals