04/09 Indices, page-15

Copper rises in early Asian trade on China's stimulus measures to support the property sector. Beijing's move to reduce the down-payment ratio for first-time homebuyers and adjustment to interest rates for existing mortgages exceeded market expectations and are helping boost sentiment across commodity markets, ANZ analysts say in a research note. Copper is widely used in manufacturing and building construction. India's GDP growth of 7.8% on year for the quarter ended June, its fastest pace in 12 months, is also lending support, they add. The benchmark three-month LME contract is up 0.1% at $8,511.00 a ton