Copper climbs for first time in four sessions as dollar slips

Copper futures rose over one percent in American trade away from December 14 lows as the dollar index lost ground, following earlier data from China, the world's largest metals consumer, and amid a lack thereof from the US. 

As of 02:18 GMT, copper futures due on March 15 rose 1.09% to $306.65 a pound from the opening of $303.35, while the dollar index shed 0.07% to 90.38 from the opening of 90.44. 

Earlier Chinese data showed new loans rose to 2,900 billion yuan in January from 548 billion in December, beating expectations of 2,050 billion, while M2 money supply accelerated to 8.6% from 8.2% in December. 

Markets await US inflation data later this week, specifically consumer and producer prices in addition to retail sales, industrial, housing, and consumer confidence data.