Copper declines at the open

Copper futures tilted lower in American trade as the dollar index rose, following earlier data from China, and amid a lack thereof from the US, as markets await the Federal Reserve's minutes for the 25-26 July meeting later this week. 

As of 02:50 GMT, copper futures due on September 15 fell 0.29% to $290.35 a pound from the opening of $291.25, while the dollar index rose 0.33% to 93.37 from the opening of 93.07. 

Earlier data from China, which accounts for 40% of global copper demand, showed industrial production slowed down to 6.4% in July from 7.6%, missing expectations of 7.1%, while fixed-rate investments slowed down as well to 8.3% from 8.6%. 

Similarly, retail sales slowed down to 10.4% from 11.0% in June, missing forecasts of 10.9%, as markets now await Fed's minutes next Wednesday.