* China data boosts metals sentiment
(Adds official prices)
By Zandi Shabalala
LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) - Copper prices rose on Wednesdayas firmer-than-expected economic growth figures from Chinaboosted expectations for higher demand in the world's top metalsconsumer.
China's economy grew at a 6.4 percent pace in the firstquarter from a year earlier, defying expectations for a furtherslowdown, as industrial production jumped sharply and consumerdemand showed signs of improvement.
"The data is confirmation that there are clear tailwinds toChinese growth into the second quarter and mid-year," saidDeutsche Bank metal strategist Nick Snowdon.
Benchmark copper
China, which is in the midst of a trade conflict with theUnited States, ramped up fiscal stimulus this year to supportthe world's second largest economy after a slew of disappointingdata pointed to a potential slowdown.
But some analysts warned it may be too early to say the GDPdata was a sign of a full turnaround in the Chinese economy anda break from narrow trading ranges for metals.
"Whilst potentially the first quarter represents a keyturning point for the balance of 2019, as to whether it presentsa panacea to the mean reversion/range trading so evident in ourspace seems unlikely," said Alastair Munro at broker MarexSpectron.
OUTPUT: China's crude steel output grew 10 percent in Marchcompared with the same month a year ago as mills ramped upoperations amid a profit margin recovery and less stringentcurbs on production in the country's anti-smog crackdown.
DATA: China's aluminium production fell 3.6 percent on adaily basis in March from the previous two months to its lowestrate since October, pressured by winter curbs on industry andlow prices.
This pushed Shanghai aluminium
LME ALUMINIUM: LME aluminium
DOLLAR: The U.S. currency
COLUMN: Zinc is coming under sustained attack from bearishfunds. The trigger for the assault was Tuesday morning's LondonMetal Exchange (LME) stocks report, showing 10,625 tonnes ofinflow into exchange warehouses.
PRICES: Zinc
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen, editing by Louise Heavens) ((zandi.shabalala@tr.com; +44 207 542 5937; Reuters Messaging:zandi.shabalala.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
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