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Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Sector movers: Miners pace losses at the end of the week

(Sharecast News) - Miners paced losses at the end of the week as increased talk of a further interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve on 3 May weighed on metals' prices. But company-specific news was also a drag with BHP among the top fallers after the company cut its targets for nickel and copper production while output of iron ore slid.

As were geopolitical tensions between China and the US.

"Risk appetite was shaken by the prospect of a fresh standoff between the US and China, which hit Chinese tech stocks early on this morning, but the afternoon session has seen Europe stabilise," said IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp.

"Overall stocks are still unable to establish a clear direction - having rebounded from the March lows there is a sense of caution about where we go from here."

According to Fed funds futures the odds of another 25 basis point interest rate hike in the target range for short-term rates stood at 88.0%, in effect pricing-in.

In parallel, July copper futures on COMEX were falling by 0.78% to $4.0 per pound.

Gold futures were trading down by 1.59% alongside to $1,986.90/oz. while silver was off by 1.23% to $25.28/oz..

Top performing sectors so far today

Automobiles & Parts 1,721.16 +2.22%

Beverages 28,838.50 +1.18%

Real Estate Investment & Services 2,328.35 +1.06%

Industrial Support Services 10,455.89 +1.00%

Media 10,394.64 +0.99%

Bottom performing sectors so far today

Industrial Metals & Mining 6,820.44 -4.18%

Precious Metals and Mining 11,675.54 -2.42%

Life Insurance 7,054.14 -0.46%

Banks 3,505.50 -0.37%

Aerospace and Defence 6,487.00 -0.18%

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Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

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