BEIJING, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Prices of most industrial metals gained on Friday, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar, even as investors cautiously awaited the U.S. employment report and further clarity on economic stimulus measures by top consumer China.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.5% at $8,657.50 per metric ton by 0202 GMT, but almost flat from last week's close.
The dollar index extended a downward trajectory on Friday, after touching a four-week peak on Thursday following the release of U.S. labor market data.
A weaker dollar makes it more attractive to buy the greenback-priced commodity.
The closely watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls report is due on Friday.
LME aluminium added 0.3% at $2,237.50 a metric ton, tin was up 0.8% at $28,250, zinc edged 1% up to $2,510, nickel rose 1.2% to $21,875, while lead dipped 0.1% to $2,155.
China is expected to roll out further support to boost economic growth, especially the property sector, a major consumer for industrial metal.
But the near-term demand stayed gloomy, offsetting some supply tightness.
Global copper smelting activity bounced slightly in July despite a sharp fall in top refined producer China, according to data.
The most-traded September copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange moved 0.9% higher to 69,580 yuan ($9,714.35) per metric ton.
SHFE aluminium ticked 0.6% higher to 18,555 yuan a metric ton, zinc gained 0.8% to 21,055 yuan, lead climbed 0.5% to 16,010 yuan, nickel jumped 2.2% to 171,580 yuan, and tin was up 0.4% at 230,460 yuan.
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($1 = 7.1626 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Siyi Liu and Andrew Hayley; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
