LME copper ended at $7,490/mt, up slightly from $7,485 on Wednesday.

"Copper looks like it took a bit of a break today from the initial concerns this week from China's monetary tightening, but those concerns are probably fading," said Pat Donnelly, senior broker with Olympus Futures in Chicago.

"The reserves ratio (move) is not a major issue, the economy has its own momentum, China is going to achieve solid growth rates this year," said David Wilson, analyst at Societe Generale.

Aluminum bid at $2,335, up from $2,294. Zinc closed at $2,502, lead ended at $2,507. Tin closed at $18,450, while nickel ended unchanged at $18,300.