Copper prices hit a 16-month high on Wednesday (December 30rd), following a stronger dollar and suggesting there may be a trend on high commodity prices in 2010. The tonne of the metal ended at US$ 7,325 at the London Metal Exchange, after hitting a US$ 7,344.25 high early that day. Strikes at some Chilean mining units may helped the high but some analysts believe there may be a lot of speculation too.