The Status of the copper and brass market is evident from the steeper-than-ex-pected 7.8% drop in U.S. manufacturing output in 2008—and the 14% decline in construction. That's why North American copper demand dropped by 7% last year (after dropping 5% in 2007). Demand could slide by another 5% this year since copper and brass purchasing trends are sensitive to the direction of the industrial and construction segments of the economy.
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