• Taipei January 26 news, LME-based metal contracts and Shanghai Futures Exchange contract Wednesday Asian trading hours have weakened, speculative selling and a small amount of profit-taking to suppress the market. At 0423 GMT, three-month copper in the LME fell 0.3% to US$3,042/3,048 per ton, and the London market closed at 3,054. There was strong support at 3,025/30, although traders stated that they expect the copper price to weaken further during the day to try the US$3,000 level. Shanghai copper fell across the board, and the main contract 0504 fell 310 yuan to 29,100 yuan per ton. Before the advent of the Chinese New Year holiday, the Shanghai Futures Exchange will be closed from February 7th to 15th. China’s economic growth rate of 9.5% in 2004, announced on Tuesday, did not boost the market. Traders said the data was within expectations. There was little change in zinc, with three-month zinc reporting at $1,265/1,275 per tonne and London's overnight market reporting 1,275. Nickel was reported at 14,050/14,250 U.S. dollars and the London market closed at 14,200 U.S. dollars. Three-month aluminum reported 1,805/1,808 US dollars, London market reported 1,807 late. Shanghai Aluminum also fell across the board, the main contract 0504 fell 100 yuan, 16,180 yuan per ton. Three-month tin stood firm at 7,650/7,750 U.S. dollars and London overnight market closed at 7,725 U.S. dollars. Lead was slightly weaker to 903/908, London market reported 910.