Copper dips

London
Copper and other base metals slipped on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened on expectations that U.S. authorities were close to hiking interest rates.
Losses were modest, however, after data showed activity in the services sector of China, the world's top metals consumer, expanded in July at its fastest pace in 11 months.
Markets were pressured by the dollar hitting a 3-1/2 month peak against a basket of currencies on Wednesday after a voting member of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy-setting committee expressed support for an interest rate hike in September.
A stronger dollar makes commodities priced in the U.S. currency more expensive to buyers using other currencies.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.7 percent at $5,201 a tonne by 1003 GMT, after closing little changed in the previous session but within reach of Monday's six-year lows at $5,142 a tonne.