METALS-Copper steady, caught between China and world economies

"While a large number of countries around the world continue to talk about securing raw material supply, China is actually doing something about it."

Solar capacity around the world was rolled out at a record pace, as bargain panel prices helped countries deploy cleaner energy.

Gold has hit successive records this year and is set to close 2024 more than 25% higher.

"Winter restocking of iron ore among steel mills is still underway, so we believe ore prices will find some support in the near term," analyst says.