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Copper urns firmer

NEW YORK: Comex copper turned firmer at midday, overcoming an early bout of selling as signs of nearby tightness in the market continued to support prices, traders said.

The market also largely shrugged off indications that labor talks at Codelco's Chuquicamata were going smoothly. A source at the company said Codelco was "reasonably optimistic" that workers would accept a pay offer made Tuesday.

At 1230 EDT, May copper was up 1.20 cents at 122.90 cents per lb, traded from 122.95 to 120.60. July was up 0.95 at 120.45 cents, traded from 120.50 to 118.60.-Reuter