Base metals complex ended on a mixed note. Zinc, Lead and Aluminium settled down on MCX and LME. Copper settled up as another large outflow of material from London warehouses provided some support, but the gains were held in check by wariness over the demand outlook for industrial metals as premature hopes for rapid economic recovery subsided.

Chile's copper production could rise by as much as 4 percent this year from 2008, Chilean Mines Minister Santiago Gonzalez said on Monday. He added that prices for the red metal should average about $2 per pound this year. Chile is the world's top copper producer.

Chinese demand for aluminum remains robust. However, some of the recent strength can be explained by government purchases and a restocking effect," Standard Bank said in a note.

China's imports of unwrought copper and semi-finished copper products in June hit an all-time record for a fifth straight month of 475,999 tonnes, from May's 422,666 tonnes.

Japanese industrial output rose 5.7 percent in May from April, while consumer confidence also improved.

Base metals look strong for the day due to increased optimism in financial market after U. S. markets rose by 2%. Negative inventory in copper and other metals would make them attractive for bargain hunting. Our pick for the day would be Nickel and Copper. Zinc too looks strong for the day.