SINGAPORE, May 03, 2012 (Dow Jones) -- Copper will likely be the strongest performer in the base metals complex this year, Nick Trevethan, senior commodities strategist at ANZ research, said Friday.

Trevethan tipped London copper to reach $9,040 a metric ton by year-end.

Benchmark three-month copper was trading at $8,255/ton at 0336 GMT.

The recent stock buildup in China is mostly due a stock draw from London, reflecting a relocation of stocks rather than weakening Chinese demand, he said on the sidelines of the LME Asia Metals Seminar.

"We remain positive about the supply-demand dynamics of the copper market," he said.