London — European stocks broke a three-day losing streak on Tuesday, building on gains in other markets boosted by signs of a global economic recovery and rising commodity prices. Gains for heavyweight miners boosted European shares after strong commodities prices steadied Asian markets earlier in the session. London copper rose to a three-year high while zinc held close to its highest level in a decade and nickel, which is used in stainless steel, logged a fresh annual peak. BHP Billiton, the world’s largest miner, reported a surge in underlying full-year profits and said it would exit its underperforming US shale oil and gas business, pleasing shareholders who had called for a sale. "Commodity prices are holding firm, particularly base metals," said Sue Trinh, FX strategist at RBC Capital Markets. She cautioned that commodities had mostly firmed "on speculative Chinese investment flow from the wealth management industry, so we question the real demand". The surge in European stock...
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