In Australian trade today, lithium companies Galaxy Resources (AU:GXY) and Pilbara Minerals (AU:PLS) were the among the bigger gainers of larger capitalised stocks on the S&P/ASX200, up about 3.5% and 1.7% respectively on no news.

However the overall metals and mining sector finished down 1.28% and BHP (AU:BHP) closed more than 0.8% lower.

The copper sector was the big winner on the S&P/TSX Composite Index yesterday, up more than 3% as the metals and mining sector rose 1.6% overall.

The index's gold division was up 1.44% with one of the stronger moves by Centerra Gold (CN:CG), rising 5.06%.

Both Tahoe Resources (CN:THO) and Barrick Gold (CN:ABX) enjoyed gains of about 3%.

The US saw a more muted gain of 0.74% for the S&P500's metals and mining division yesterday with relatively even gains across the sectors.

London's FTSE100 metals and mining sector closed 0.19% lower with Rio Tinto (LN:RIO) down 0.35%.

Finally, Japan's metals and mining division was also lower intraday with diversified Sumitomo Metal Mining Co (JP:5713) down about 1.7%.