text_combined: lme turnovers fall long established trend halted reuters eol mention uk lme turnovers fall long established trend halted 07 03 2001 reuters english news service c reuters limited 2001 london july 3 reuters first half volumes london metal exchange lme fell nearly 16 percent year ago levels amid signs years rising turnover world largest non ferrous metals market may coming end traders said year seen volumes affected general downturn global economies weakening prices knock impact electronic screen trading problem general conditions prevailing moment seeing recessionary signs dampening market cyclical worry cycle lasting time one said figures released tuesday lme showed total futures options turnover jan june 2001 fell 29 899 million lots jan june 2000 level 35 440 million traded options turnovers significantly lower falling 1 481 million lots 2 784 million reduced volatility deterred options interest although lme derives much liquidity speculators bulk trade comes metals industry hedging price protection consumer producer business around selective moment another trader said whether trend continued throughout year amd marked sea change 10 years almost uninterrupted volume growth may depend market conditions improving year seen prices progressively weaker copper recently lowest since july 1999 zinc tin levels last seen nearly eight years ago lead 12 month low point nickel aluminium two month lows although prices softer occasions tightness prevailed markets lifting spot premiums generate trades squeezes taken place year copper aluminium tin particular helped second trader said market moves contango nearby prices cheaper forward backwardation opposite hedging dries last year also seen electronic trading take competitors enron online spectron metals grabbing business lme also sanctioned launched system known lme select still trade lme contracts turnovers directly hit screen trading may factor ways screens whoever belong may problem one said old days used talk people get feel market take punt much big boys still chat much screens almost matched bargain situation said folder name enron reuters folder relevance score scale 100 83 review revise folder visit http www djinteractive com contact dow jones customer service e mail custom news bis dowjones com phone 800 369 7466 outside u canada call 609 452 1511 contact local sales representative copyright c 2001 dow jones company inc rights reserved