Sector movers: Metal rally boost miners

15th Jul 2009 09:33

News from mining stocks is mixed today, but higher metals prices lift the sector.Production jumped 19% at Hochschild during the second quarter, putting the Latin America-focused precious metals miner "firmly on track" to hit its full year production target of 28 million silver equivalent ounces.Rio Tinto continued to experience "difficult" conditions at its aluminum business during the second quarter, with production there down 5% on the same time last year.With prices for copper and other metal on the rise, both are higher, in line with most miners.Personal goods stocks are lower, including Burberry, even after the luxury clothing group revealed an 8% rise in first quarter sales and said it has made a solid start to the year despite continued challenges in the retail industry.Top performing sectors so far todayTechnology Hardware & Equipment 267.62 +3.16%Industrial Metals 4,025.62 +2.27%Mining 13,955.18 +2.23%Life Insurance 2,799.90 +2.09%Forestry & Paper 2,151.58 +2.04%Bottom performing sectors so far todayPersonal Goods 7,710.11 -0.95%Fixed Line Telecommunications 1,576.34 -0.52%Household Goods 5,543.71 -0.46%Electronic & Electrical Equipment 1,188.42 -0.27%Food & Drug Retailers 4,136.91 -0.04%