LME copper ended at $7,395/mt, down $70, after a one-month low of $7,194/mt on Friday.

"There is some impact from Chinese tightening, its only natural and the dollar has strengthened," said John Meyer, analyst at investment bank Fairfax. "Traders are concerned about the potential impact of Obama's plans for the banking sector."

"We expect to see continued recovery in demand from commercial end users with consumption in China remaining a key driver," Societe Generale said.

Aluminium closed at $2,221/mt, $22 down. Nickel fell to a two-week low of $17,750/mt, but ended at $18,200, $50 higher. Tin was at $17,975/mt, up $35, and zinc ended slightly lower at $2,318.5.

Lead tumbled to $2,120/mt, its lowest since October. It ended at $2,200/mt, $20 lower.