(Bloomberg) -- Industrial metals rose on the first trading day of the year, with a private survey pointing to an expansion of manufacturing in China and investors weighing the scope for additional stimulus from Beijing in 2025.

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Copper climbed more than 1% in London, after closing on Tuesday at the lowest level since March, ahead of the market's Jan. 1 break. Zinc, nickel, aluminum, and lead also gained. In China, the Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers index held above 50 for a third month in December, although it was down on-month, pointing to a bumpy recovery of the top metals-consuming economy.

The LMEX Index of six metals on the London Metal Exchange closed out 2024 with a modest gain of about 4%, as softer Chinese demand was offset by flashes of supply stress on falling inventories and mine supply shortages. For the year to come, investors are focused on whether there'll be a recovery in the nation's embattled property sector, a key demand pillar for metals, as well as the potential impact of trade frictions from Donald Trump's US presidency.

Copper traded 1.1% higher at $8,866.50 a ton on the LME at 11:09 a.m. in Shanghai. Zinc gained 1.2% to $3,014 a ton, following a 12% advance last year, while nickel was up 1% at $15,480 a ton.

Iron ore reversed an early drop to climb 0.8% to $101.75 a ton in Singapore. The steel-making staple collapsed 28% last year, its worst annual loss since 2015, as China's property crisis hurt demand and miners boosted cargoes.