Copper held steady as signs of rising demand in China were offset by growing worries about the possibility of an escalation in the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Robots once again stole the show during China’s annual Spring Festival gala, popping up in comedy skits, dancing to Mandarin pop and bouncing off walls like martial arts masters. Investors responded Friday by pushing up shares in robotics firms even as the broader market sagged.

Robots once again stole the show during China’s annual Spring Festival gala, popping up in comedy skits, dancing to Mandarin pop and bouncing off walls like martial arts masters. Investors responded Friday by pushing up shares in robotics firms even as the broader market sagged.

Copper extended gains, buoyed by a tighter supply outlook and a weakening dollar, even as Chinese buying waned ahead of the Lunar New Year break.

Nickel extended gains after Indonesia signaled a sharp cut to output this year, curbing supply from the world’s biggest mine in a bid to revive prices.

Copper and aluminum fell as a rally that had been buttressed by Chinese buying stalled with the country nearing a major holiday.