Copper closes out the year with an average of US$ 3.15, the second-highest price in history

LONDON.- Copper closed with a 3.20% gain at the London Metal Exchange today after trading for US$ 1.31633 per pound compared to US$ 1.27550 on Tuesday and US$ 1.28956 on Monday of this week.

Despite the abrupt drop in value observed during the second half of the year, the average for 2008 was reported at US$ 3.15316, which is the second-highest value for the figure in history, falling only 2.45% below that of 2007 (US$3.23246).

During the year, the highest price recorded was that of July 3rd (US$ 4.07753), while the minimum price was registered on December 24th (US$ 1.25645).

Compared to the figure on December 31st of 2007, the red metal displayed a loss of 171.208 cents on the dollar (-56.53%).

Meanwhile, the future 3-month price quote ended at US$ 1.33129 per pound, up 2.98% from Tuesday (US$ 1.29274).