It was reported from NEW YORK on 19 February that the base metals complex ended its gangbuster week in solidly positive territory on Friday, with some metals logging double-digit gains on the back of improved market sentiment and rising inflation pressures.

Lead recorded the biggest gain, soaring 10.4 percent over the course of the week to close second-ring trade on the London Metal Exchange at $2,319 per tonne on Friday. Nickel and zinc also registered sizable weekly gains, climbing 9.8 percent and 7.5 percent to $20,300/$20,310 (bid/ask) and $2,290 per tonne, respectively.

Copper was up 6.6 percent week-on-week at $7,223 per tonne, while March futures prices on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 8.9 percent to close at $3.357 per pound vs. $3.0825 one week earlier.

Tin was up 4.6 percent on the week to close.