Nonferrous metals index futures start practice trading

The Shanghai Futures Exchange on Monday started simulated trading of the country's first futures contract based on a nonferrous metals index.

The contract is based on an index compiled by the Shanghai-based exchange. The index tracks the prices of four metals: copper, aluminum, zinc and lead.

The exchange said in an online statement that the simulated trading is intended to raise investors' understanding of the risks involved in index futures.