METALS-Copper stumbles on US caution, weak China lending data

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Copper lost ground on Thursday after four straight days of gains, as base metal prices tracked equity markets lower amid caution over the reopening of the U.S. government and after weak lending data in top metals consumer China.

Benchmark three-month copper CMCU3 on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.4% at $10,896.50 per metric ton as of 1718 GMT. It rose to as much as $11,018 earlier in the session, crossing the psychological $11,000 mark for the first time this month, before giving up its gains.

The metal had climbed to a record high of $11,200 on October 29 concerns over disruption to mine supply.

"For the rally to extend, stronger demand - particularly from China, the largest consumer, will be crucial," said ING analyst Ewa Manthey. "For now, prices will remain rangebound."

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed legislation to end the longest government shutdown in the history of the nation. But Wall Street's main indexes fell on Thursday as caution prevailed ahead of indications on the U.S. economy and the monetary policy path.

In China, meanwhile, outstanding total social financing (TSF), a broad measure of credit and liquidity in the economy, grew at its slowest pace in seven months in October.

New loans by Chinese banks also fell sharply from the previous month. Investors are awaiting a slew of data on the Chinese economy to be released on Friday, including new home prices, retail sales and industrial output.

In the near term, supply disruptions should keep a floor under copper prices around the $10,000 mark, Manthey said.

The entire LME complex moved lower. Aluminium CMAL3 slipped 0.6% to $2,877.50 a ton, zinc CMZN3 fell 1% to $3,045, and nickel CMNI3 was down 0.6% to $14,960, its lowest since August 21.

Lead CMPB3 dropped 1% to $2,074, while tin CMSN3 shed 0.9% to $37,080 after hitting its highest since April earlier in the session.