Copper prices on Monday hit their highest level since May ahead of the signing of a U.S.-China Phase 1 trade deal and Chinese data that will show whether a pick-up in economic activity has been maintained. China is the largest consumer of metals, but its economy slowed in 2019, partly owing to the trade dispute with Washington, pushing down industrial metals prices. Factory output in China began to contract last year but returned to expansion in November and December. A Reuters poll showed that December export and import growth is expected to have improved. Data including trade, GDP and new loans are also due this ... (full story)