METALS-Copper, the highest aluminum edge following the reduction of the tax on China

(Add quotes, update prices)

By Mai Nguyen

SINGAPORE, March 19 (Reuters) – Copper and aluminum prices rose on Tuesday, in favor of China's announcement to lower manufacturers' taxes as early as next month to boost growth of the world's second largest economy.

"The sentiments were generally constructive as investors continued to believe that China's latest moves were supportive of demand for metals," said ANZ in a note.

China will reduce value-added tax in manufacturing and other sectors on April 1, Prime Minister Li Keqiang said on Friday, adding that the reduction of taxes and fees remains an essential measure to cope with downward pressure on its economy.

But the gains have been kept to a minimum, as the reduction in tax may not translate into an increase in corporate profits, said badyst Helen Lau of Argonaut Securities.

"Tax cuts will reduce the tax burden on businesses, but they will use a lower tax rate to stimulate research and development, so the impact on results will not be reduced. considerable, "she said.

FUNDAMENTALS

* COPPER: The three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange rose 0.4% to $ 6,448 per ton at 0350 GMT, while the most traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 0.1 % to 49,240 yuan ($ 7,332.29) per tonne.

* COPPER STOCKS: Copper stocks in LME approved warehouses fell slightly to 183,825 tonnes on March 15, but still remained around their highest level in five months. MCUSTX TOTAL

* TECHNIQUES: Copper LME could test a resistance at $ 6,525 a ton this week, a break above which could result in a gain of $ 6,594 to $ 6,662, according to the badyst Reuters Wang Tao technique.

* CONSTRUCTION IN CHINA: As part of the demand for growth, China will significantly reduce the time needed to obtain approval for construction projects, said Monday the Ministry of Housing of the country.

* GROWTH IN CHINA: China's economic growth is expected to pick up in the second quarter after the first three months of the season, which had a long holiday season, which was long for the Chinese New Year.

"The Chinese economy is expected to grow more slowly in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, but it should grow every quarter," Lau said of Argonaut.

* VEDANTA CLASH: A protester and a policeman died in clashes in front of the alumina refinery in eastern India, according to Vedanta Ltd, a police official said Monday less than a year after the mbadacre of 13 anti-Vedanta protesters in southern India.

* OTHER: The three-month aluminum contract in London rose 0.4% to $ 1,928 per tonne, while zinc rose 0.1% and nickel rose 0.3%.

* For the best articles on metals and other news, click on or

PRICES

Three months of copper LME

ShFE Copper Most Active

LME three months in aluminum

Most active ShFE aluminum

LME zinc three months

The most active ShFE zinc

Three months ahead on the LME

Most active ShFE lead

LME nickel three months

Most active nickel ShFE

LME tin of three months

ShFE Pewter the most active

ARBS ($ 1 = 6.7155 Chinese yuan)