MUMBAI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - India gold futures may strike a fresh record high in early trade on Monday helped by a weaker dollar, enhancing the yellow metal's appeal as an alternative asset, analysts said. The benchmark December gold MAUZ9 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) closed 0.2 percent higher at 16,800 rupees per 10 grams. The contract had struck a record high of 16,884 rupees last week. December gold is likely to open at 16,860/16,870 rupees per 10 grams, said Aurobinda Prasad, head of research with Karvy Comtrade. "The dollar index is down, which is supporting prices, buying could be initiated at 16,800, with a target of 17,000 and with a stop loss of 16,740 rupees," said Prasad. The dollar drifted lower in Asia on Monday, heading into a week that is likely to see increased rhetoric on currencies from both China and visiting U.S. President Barack Obama. [USD/] "The outlook is still positive and may test 17,000 rupees today," said Kunal Shah, an analyst with Nirmal Bang Commodities. COPPER: India's copper futures may open higher on Monday supported by a weak dollar overseas, analysts said. The most-traded November contract MCCX9 on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) ended 0.05 percent lower at 303.95 rupees per kg in the previous session. November copper may open at 306 rupees, said Abhishek Chauhan, an analyst with Angel Commodities. "The weak dollar is supporting copper prices, resistance would be seen at 308/309 rupees," said Chauhan. "The bias is sideways to higher today on a weaker dollar," said Murukesh Kumar, senior analyst with JRG Wealth Management. November zinc contract MZIX9 closed 0.05 percent lower at 100.60 rupees per kg, while lead for November delivery MLDX9 ended 0.1 percent higher at 104.85 rupees per kg in the previous session. (Reporting by Siddesh Mayenkar; Editing by Harish Nambiar)

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