The base metal prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) gained ground on Friday on Japan stimulus and improved sentiment.

"We believe this is due to economic optimism and the Japanese central bank's latest liquidity measures," Commerzbank said in a note.

In an unexpected move, the Bank of Japan's policy board voted to increase the monetary base at an annual pace of 80 trillion yen per year, above its previous target of 60-70 trillion yen.

Nickel hit its highest since October 15 at 16,175 U.S. dollars a tonne in morning trading. The three-month unofficial nickel price was up 197.5 dollars, or 1.26 percent, to 15,837.5 dollars a tonne. Stocks continue to increase, up 1,680 tonnes at a fresh record high of 383,442 tonnes.

But a stronger U.S. dollar has weighed on a number of commodities. "This generally negative environment will likely not bode well for LME metals," said Edward Meir, commodities consultant with INTL FCStone.

In other metals, the three-month unofficial copper price dropped 21.5 U.S. dollars, or 0.32 percent, to 6,696 dollars per tonne. The three-month unofficial aluminium price was up 20 dollars, or 0.99 percent, to 2,037 dollars a tonne.

The three-month unofficial lead price was up 2 dollars, or 0.10 percent, to 2,015 dollars a tonne. The three-month unofficial zinc price was up 20 dollars, or 0.87 percent, to 2,318 dollars a tonne. The three-month unofficial tin price lost 25 dollars, or 0.12 percent, to 20,050 dollars a tonne.

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