NEW YORK, Dec 24 (Reuters) - London copper futures are expected to record a flat weekly close on Thursday as trading closes on holiday days as traders trim their positions for a difficult trading session ahead of Christmas Breathing space, next year's trading environment is expected to be more difficult.

       On the London Metal Exchange (LME), copper for the month was down 0.1% at $ 4,713 a metric ton, up 1.2% on the day. Copper prices have fallen by a quarter this year, the largest since the 2008 financial crisis, the annual decline, due to China's economic slowdown.

       Shanghai copper rose 0.4 percent to 36,350 yuan per ton.

       A measure of US corporate investment plans fell in November, a month before the increase was also significantly reduced, because the strong dollar and the energy industry to cut spending to the manufacturing sector caused by the drag did not show any signs of mitigation.

       China's State Council said on Wednesday that it will further improve its direct financing ratio, improve the multi-level capital market such as stocks and debts, establish a new strategic board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and enhance the economic efficiency of financial services entities.

       According to people familiar with the matter, the United States free port McMurray copper and gold company ready to auction in early 2016 its oil and gas assets. The company earlier this year, rights activist Icahn (Carl Icahn) eyeing.