LME base metals rise mostly on Thursday

The base metal prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) closed higher mostly on Thursday.

U.S. consumer prices in January posted their biggest drop since 2008 as oil prices continued to tumble, which could provide ammunition for the Fed to keep interest rates low a bit longer.

The Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers declined 0.7 percent in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, said the U.S. Labor Department Thursday.

Besides, China's manufacturing activity improved slightly in February as increased output and new orders, according to HSBC's data released on Wednesday.

The HSBC flash manufacturing PMI for February rose to a four month high of 50.1, from a reading of 49.7 in January, HSBC said in the report.

The three-month unofficial copper price increased 102 U.S. dollars, or 1.77 percent, to 5,872.5 U.S. dollars per tonne.

The three-month unofficial aluminium price increased 2.5 U.S. dollars, or 0.14 percent, to 1,807.5 U.S. dollars a tonne.

The three-month unofficial lead price lost 6 U.S. dollars, or 0.34 percent, to 1,755 U.S. dollars a tonne.

Besides, the three-month unofficial zinc price increased 6.5 U.S. dollars, or 0.31 percent, to 2,075.5 U.S. dollars a tonne.

The three-month unofficial nickel price increased 67.5 U.S. dollars, or 0.47 percent, to 14,380 U.S. dollars a tonne.

The three-month unofficial tin price increased 12.5 U.S. dollars, or 0.07 percent, to 18,075 U.S. dollars a tonne. Endit