A REPORT out Monday from HSBC revealed activity in China's manufacturing sector expanded this month. That's the first time the measure has shown a rise in manufacturing this year, a possible sign that measures taken by Beijing to bolster growth are starting to work.
China is the world's biggest buyer of the industrial metal, so an increase in manufacturing implies stronger demand for copper.
Copper for July rose 3 cents to settle at $3.15 on Monday.
Other metals were mixed. Gold for August rose $1.80 to $1 318.40 an ounce, and silver for July slipped 3c to $20.92/oz.
In other trading, wheat and corn fell, while soybeans rose. Crude oil slipped.