LONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Copper prices soared to 10-month highs on Monday as investors piled in on expectations of rising demand after robust manufacturing data from China,the world's largest consumer of industrial metals.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange hit $5,947.75 a tonne, the highest since early October last year. The metal used in power and construction was at $5,939 a tonne at 0952 GMT from $5,719 at the close on Friday.
The latest trigger for gains was data showing manufacturing in China at its strongest in a year in July.
"The (manufacturing) data from China was very positive," said Gayle Berry, analyst at Barclays ( BCS - news - people ) Capital. "It's helping views for more positive Chinese demand in the second half."
Copper prices have nearly doubled since the start of the year, partly because of Chinese buying for stockpiles.
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