India, March 19 -- Copper prices drifted lower by 0.16 per cent to Rs 442.65 per kg on Tuesday as speculators book profits amid appreciating rupee.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, copper for delivery in April eased by 70 paise, or 0.16 per cent to Rs 442.65 per kg in business turnover of 2,751 lots.

Analysts said besides profit-booking by participants, sharp appreciation in the rupee against the US currency that makes dollar-denominated commodities including base metals cheaper for holder of the Indian unit, mainly weighed on copper prices at futures trade.

The rupee was trading higher at 68.51 against the dollar at the Interbank Forex market Tuesday.

Globally, three-month copper closed little changed at USD 6,425 per tonne, down 0.1 p...