Base metals closed the week on a mixed note as macroeconomic news and currency headwinds overshadowed fundamental drivers. The complex closed the week mostly lower Friday, with three-month lead tumbling 6.4 percent on the London Metal Exchange from a week earlier, zinc falling 5 percent, copper down 1.8 percent, tin slipping 1.4 and aluminum 0.8 percent lower. Nickel contracts bucked the trend, gaining 1.2 percent on the week as physical market tightness and the ongoing strike at Vale Inco Ltd's Sudbury, Ontario, mine, which accounts for around 10 percent of global nickel supply, continued to support higher prices. The falling value of the euro helped to undermine the base metals complex over the week, which tends to retreat as the dollar gains strength. The euro, which started the week at an average value of $1.3626, eased 0.4 percent lower to around $1.3570 Friday. The European currency was up slightly on the day, however, having gained 0.6 percent from $1.3489 Thursday.

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