UPDATE AT 5 PM ON 3 OCTOBER

Copper headed for its worst week in more than 20 years

on increasing concern that slower global economic growth may

cut demand.

Copper fell for a fifth session yesterday, as the euro fell to a

one-year low against the dollar after European Central Bank

policymakers considered cutting rates. Commodity investors

are also concerned the post-Olympics bounce in Chinese economic

activity has been ``tepid at best'', according to Commonwealth

Bank of Australia's David Moore.


Copper for delivery in three months fell as much as 0.5 percent

to $5,860 a metric ton on the London Metal Exchange, and was

little changed at $5,860 at 11:40 a.m. in Singapore. The metal used

in wires and pipes slumped to $5,785 yesterday, the lowest since

February 2007. It is down 14 percent for the week, the largest weekly

drop since at least 1986.


December delivery copper on the Comex division of the New York

Mercantile Exchange added 0.8 percent to $2.6475 a pound at the

same time. China's markets are closed this week for holidays.


Labor disputes threatening to disrupt supply this week failed to stem the metal's losses.