Copper declines over 1% as dollar strengthens

Copper prices declined on Monday as the dollar climbed against most major rivals, and amid calm in the markets coinciding with the Easter holidays. 

Copper received support in Shanghai Exchange trading today amid strong outlook for Chinese demand. 

However, dollar maintained gains after strong US labor data on Friday, bolstering the case for another Federal Reserve rate hike in May.

Copper futures due in May rose 0.22% to 68,740 yuan at the Shanghai futures Exchange. 

Friday data showed US non-farm payrolls rose by 236 thousand in March, matching estimates mostly, while February's addition with revised upwards to 326 thousand from 311 thousand.

Chile

Central Bank of Chile, the world's largest copper producer, said that copper exports rose 9.9% in March to $4.59 billion, with the country marking a trade surplus of $2.9 billion this month. 

The dollar index rose 0.6% today to 102.7 as of 15:32 GMT, with a session-high at 102.8, and a low at 101.9.

Copper futures due in May at the US Exchange tumbled 1.1% to $3.97 a pound as of 15:28 GMT.