METALS-London copper rises on upbeat U.S. housing data; set for weekly drop

London copper prices inched higher in early trade on Friday, boosted by U.S. data showing August home resales at a 17-month high, while the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose less than expected last week. Copper, widely used in construction and power, nonetheless remained on course for a 3% drop this week, which would mark its steepest weekly fall since the week ended Aug. 2 amid concerns over tepid demand in top copper consumer China.