The metals and mining sector is typically used as a proxy for equity investors in Europe to gain exposure to China, given it is the world's largest commodities consumer, and it has sunk along with China's growth expectations. But Beijing in recent weeks has taken targeted steps towards supporting key pockets of its economy, lifting the mining sector off its 31-month lows. In the last month, the mining index has risen nearly 10% compared with a gain of just 2.5% for the wider STOXX 600. Sweeney says this wide range of measures could be a catalyst for an upturn in the metals and mining sector. "Obviously, the 800-pound gorilla from a primary metal demand perspective is China," Peter Mallin-Jones, mining analyst at UK investment bank Peel Hunt, said.

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Persons: Ints, Nathan Sweeney, multiasset, Sweeney, LSEG, Peter Mallin, Peel Hunt, Jones, Daniel Major, Marlborough Investment Management's Sweeney, Samuel Indyk, Amanda Cooper, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, Equity, Marlborough Investment Management, Miners, London Metal, Morningstar, UBS, Rio Tinto, BHP Group, Major, Marlborough Investment, Thomson Locations: Garpenberg, Sweden, China, LONDON, Europe, Beijing, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, United States, Rio, Antofagasta, Rio Tinto, Marlborough