Investors were frightened by the acceleration of consumer inflation in the past month, which may lead to another rate hike cycle in China. Copper futures fell 0.73 percent to $368.20 per pound as investors worried that China will not grow as quickly as anticipated due to strong inflation. Brands (NYSE: YUM) shares also experienced a 1.13 percent decline pre-market as the company issued 'an official apology' for mistakes made in mainland China and Chinese inflation scaremongers.