Asarco income up despite price drop in copper quotes

In 1993, Asarco (NYSE) realized an average copper price of US87 cents per lb., down from US$1.04 the previous year.

The New York City-based company received an average of US20 cents per lb. for lead, off US6 cents from 1992, and US44 cents per lb. for zinc, off US12 cents. (It reported earlier it had

fully hedged its 1993 zinc production at an average price of US55 cents per lb.)

The company received a slightly lower average price for its gold but a higher price for silver.

Net income in 1993 was US$15.6 million on sales of US$1.7 billion compared with a loss of US$83.1 million for 1992 on sales of US$1.9 billion.