Shares in the materials sector slipped as the price of silver futures fell while gold rose. In the third quarter, the front-month gold contract rose 3.30% to $4155.60.

Glencore continues to be Berenberg's preferred large-cap diversified mining stock. The London-listed miner has the most compelling organic copper growth story out of all its peers, Berenberg analysts write. The miner's trading division will continue to benefit this year from volatile energy markets, and it should also gain from elevated thermal coal prices, they add.