Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Data released by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) showed on Tuesday that Japan's industrial production increased more than initially estimated at the end of the year. Japan's industrial production rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent month-over-month in December. Data was better than initial estimates at 0.5 percent reported earlier. However, it was slower than previous month's 1.5 percent gain.
Inventories grew 0.6 percent over the month, which was above the 0.2 percent rise seen in the flash report. Details of the report showed shipments dropped 0.4 percent, revised from a 0.3 percent decline.
Japan's industrial production was up 3.2 percent y/y in December, following a 4.6 percent spike in November. Capacity utilization climbed 0.6 percent m/m in December, much slower than the 3.0 percent increase in the preceding month.
Meanwhile, the yen was little changed against its major rivals after the data. As of 0900 GMT, the yen was trading at 120.625 against the euro, 142.09 against the pound, 113.10 against the Swiss franc and 113.50 against the US dollar.
