Base metals futures, bar tin, were higher in Asian trade this afternoon and gold was higher than this time yesterday, up about US$10 to more than $1,195 an ounce on the spot market earlier.

The S&P500 is close to a record high and metals and mining stocks on the index were in positive territory yesterday, thanks to Freeport-McMoRan's gain of 1.07%.

Miners were similarly on the rise in London yesterday, up 0.61% overall on the FTSE100.

Anglo American (LSE: AAL) was the best performer with a gain of 1.3% on no news.

In Toronto, metals and mining stocks managed a rise of 0.17% yesterday thanks to strength in the gold sector.

B2Gold (TSX: BTO) led the way higher, closing up more than 7.7%. So far this month it has reported strong June quarter results and that the Malian government will acquire an additional 10% in the Fekola mine. 

However metals and mining stocks were lower on the benchmark S&P/ASX200 in mid-afternoon trade.

BHP (ASX: BHP) was down about 1.7% at the time of writing after its full-year results fell short of expectations.