Alcoa: Mining and Metals Winners & Losers

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of metal producers and miners gained ground Thursday, pushed higher by rising commodities prices and encouraging economic data out of the European Union.

Base metals such as copper, aluminum and nickel rose sharply in London and New York trading Thursday. Copper futures had jumped 3.3% and aluminum 4% toward the end of the U.S. session.

Precious metals were higher as well, with gold futures adding $6.30 to $958.88.

On Thursday, unexpected growth in the GDPs of Germany and France -- 0.3% in the second quarter for both economies -- fueled optimism that manufacturing in the E.U. had found a bottom. The euro also spiked on the news, and as the dollar weakened against the European currency, traders moved to buy metals.

Among the leading gainers on the equities side Thursday was Alcoa(AA Quote), the giant aluminum producer. Shares of the Dow component gained as much as 6% before settling back some. In late afternoon trading, the stock was changing hands at $13.60, up 64 cents, or 5%.

Copper plays also advanced. Freeport McMoRan(FCX Quote) added $2.40, or 3.8%, to $65.38, while Southern Copper(PCU Quote) gained $1.10, or 4%, to $28.43.

The triumvirate of global iron-ore giants all registered moderate gains in Thursday's New York session. American Depositary Receipts of BHP Billiton(BHP Quote), which beat analyst expectations with its second-quarter profit Wednesday, were up $1.31, or 2%, to $64.51. Vale(VALE Quote) rose 34 cents, or 1.7%, to $20.61, while Rio Tinto(RTP Quote) jumped $5.91, or 3.8%, to $161.74.