Metals take a tumble

SHANGHAI - Copper, aluminum, zinc, lead and nickel tumbled on concern that demand for raw materials will slow as European nations slash budgets to curb deficits and as Asian stocks extend a global slump.

Three-month copper fell as much as 3.5 percent to $6,685 a ton on the London Metal Exchange, the lowest price since May 5, and traded at $6,710 by 2:41 pm Beijing time.

Aluminum dropped 4.1 percent to $2,015 a ton, the lowest since Feb 9, and zinc fell 4.9 percent to $1,955 a ton, the lowest since Feb 5. Metals also plunged on the Shanghai Futures Exchange.