Copper slips as Germany feeds global growth worries

SYDNEY, Oct 12 (Reuters): London copper slipped and was set to end little changed on the week, after worsening economic indicators from Germany rekindled global growth concerns that have cast a pall on the outlook for metals.
German exports plunged in August by their largest amount since the height of the financial crisis and leading institutes slashed their forecasts for growth, fuelling a debate on whether Berlin is doing enough to prop up Europe's economy and its own.
This has added to fears of stuttering demand growth in China, which is suffering from a property-led slowdown, and which is due to announce a string of trade figures next week.
"It's been a pretty tumultuous week. A lot of participants are pretty fearful at the moment surrounding concerns over global growth. Plus, if USD strength continues it will continue to place downside pressure on metals and cap gains," said analyst Tim Radford at Sydney-based advisor Rivkin.
"Still, looking at the price action, you've seen equity markets roll over but the copper market has held up pretty well. That is a potentially bullish sign."
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange had eased 1.1 per cent to $6,645.75 a tonne by 0715 GMT, paring a 1.3-per cent gain from the previous session.