0242 GMT - Copper prices are higher in early Asian trade, supported by supply concerns after Chile's July output fell 9.4% from a year earlier due to severe weather and mine maintenance, Huatai futures analysts say. Low domestic inventories also continue to underpin the market, though elevated prices are capping demand as downstream buyers remain cautious ahead of the traditional September peak season, they say in a note. Investors also look ahead to U.S. economic data--namely the upcoming nonfarm payrolls report--for clues on the Federal Reserve's policy path. Overall, copper remains cautiously bullish, with any price pullback likely to attract buying interest. The three-month LME copper contract is 0.3% higher at $14,261.00 a ton.
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