Copper climbs for first time in three sessions as dollar inches down

Copper prices tilted higher in American trade as the dollar index edged away from the highest since August 17, amid a lack of data from the world's largest economy, and after Federal Open Market Committee member Jerome Powel's speech about regulatory reform at a financial regulation event jointly hosted by Reuters and George Washington University, in Washington DC.

As of 03:04 GMT, copper futures gained 0.34% to $296.55 a pound from the opening of $295.55, while the dollar index shed 0.04% to 93.52 from the opening of 93.56. 

Now markets await Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech at a community banking conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis tomorrow, after Yellen warned in a speech last week from keeping rates at their current levels until inflation hits the Fed's 2% target.

That in turn raised bets on a December rate hike to 78% in financial markets and weighed on metal prices, while also tomorrow, European Central Bank president will give a policy speech in Frankfort, Germany.