Copper prices remained stable on Friday, supported by emerging signals of firmer demand in China, the main consumer of metals, but their gains were limited by uncertainty about possible US tariffs.

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was up 0.1% to $9,007.50 per metric ton at 10:45 GMT, but is expected to fall by 5.3% in November.

“The fundamentals are solid right now, we just don't know what to expect in terms of tariffs, so markets are cautious to act decisively,” said Nitesh Shah, commodity strategist at WisdomTree.

The most traded copper contract in January on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) closed almost flat at 73,830 yuan ($10,216.28) per ton, recording a second consecutive monthly loss.

“China is waiting to see how bad the tariffs are going to be before deploying some of its resources in terms of fiscal stimulus,” Shah added.

LME copper has fallen 11% since reaching a four-month high of $10,158 on September 30 as investors sold their bullish positions on potential tariffs and disappointment at the lack of aggressive Chinese stimulus measures.

Some positive signs are however emerging in China, in particular SHFE stocks, which have fallen by two-thirds since early June to 108,775 tonnes, their lowest level since February 5.

A weak dollar also supported metals, making dollar-denominated metals cheaper for buyers using other currencies.

In other metals, LME aluminum fell by 0.1% to $2,595.50 per ton, nickel fell by 0.2% to $16,030, lead rose by 0.9% to $2,030, lead rose by 0.9% to $2,076 and zinc strengthened by 0.7% to $3,075 per ton, while tin jumped 2.1% to $28,770 $.