MUMBAI, Sept 29 (Reuters) - India's copper futures may open slightly lower on Tuesday weighed by a strong rupee and rising inventories on the London Metal Exchange, analysts said. The most-traded November contract MCCX9 on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) ended 0.07 percent lower at 290.90 rupees per kg in the previous session. November copper may open at 289.90 rupees, said Aurobinda Prasad, deputy manager-research, Karvy Comtrade in Hyderabad. "We expect sideways movement in copper today, range seen is 287-293 rupees," said Prasad. The Indian rupee rose as stronger Asian shares boosted local stocks and raised the prospect for more foreign inflows. [INR/] A strong rupee makes the dollar-quoted asset cheaper. LME copper stocks added 3,650 tonnes to touch 344,350 tonnes, their highest level since mid-May. "Copper could test 298 (rupees) later in the session on the back of rising equity markets," said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, director, Commtrendz Research. Global stocks and oil rose on Monday as news of several billion-dollar takeover offers boosted confidence in a global recovery and led investors to wade back into riskier assets after last week's sell-off. [MKTS/GLOB] The September zinc contract MZIU9 closed up 0.3 percent at 89.25 rupees per kg, while lead for September delivery MLDU9 ended up 0.9 percent at 104.65 rupees per kg in the last session. GOLD: India's gold futures may open flat on lack of leads, with traders continuing to watch the currency markets for direction, analysts said. The benchmark October gold MAUV9 closed up 0.08 percent at 15,547 rupees per 10 grams in the previous session. The contract is likely to open at 15,550 rupees per 10 grams, said Kunal Shah, an analyst with Nirmal Bang Commodities. "Gold is still not looking strong. The bias is to sell on rise, on expectations of a strong dollar, with supports placed at 15,410/15,390 rupees," said Shah. The dollar rose against the yen as its rebound from an eight-month low prompted investors to trim short positions and after Japan's finance minister said intervention was possible in extreme cases. [USD/] Gold may be in the range of 15,465-15,600 rupees, said Krishna Reddy, an analyst with Way 2 Wealth Securities. Gold rallied to 16,009 rupees earlier this month, within reach of its record high of 16,040, struck on Feb. 20. (Reporting by Siddesh Mayenkar; Editing by Sunil Nair)

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