THE share market opened marginally higher with the stronger dollar boosting resource shares.
At 10.15am (AEDT) the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 11.8 points, or 0.25 per cent, at 4706, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 13.3 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 4793.4.
On the ASX 24, the December share price index futures contract was three points higher at 4714 points, with 7641 contracts traded.
At 10.15am, the dollar was trading at US99.25c, well up on Friday's close of US97.72c, after weak US jobs data sparked fears that the US central bank may need to undertake further stimulus.
That, combined with higher commodities prices, helped boost mining shares.
BHP Billiton added 13c to $44.72 and Rio Tinto was up 28c at $86.70 before going into a temporary suspension of trade as it issued a media release.
Gold miner Newcrest was one of the strongest shares at the open, adding 60c, or 1.47 per cent, to $41.34.
That was as the spot price of gold in Sydney traded at $US1410.30 per fine ounce, up $US17.95 from Friday's closing price of $US1392.35.
Intersuisse director of equities Andrew Sekely said the market may lose its early gains, with higher resources stocks likely to be offset by weaker sectors elsewhere.
"The issue is how the market is going to hold, if it will hold," Mr Sekely said.
"The strength in resources is counter-balanced by a bit of weakness in the banking sector.
"It's a two tier market just at the moment. But the movements are not huge. It's a steady opening with miners tending to be a little bit stronger."
Among the banks, Commonwealth Bank was up 7c at $49.50, Westpac had gained 2c to $21.95, National Australia Bank was down 5c at $23.88, and ANZ had shed 6c to $23.25.
Globally-focused companies were among the worst performers, due to the stronger dollar.
Westfield was down 8c at $12.27, News Corp shed 26c to $16.22 and ResMed lost 7c to $3.38.
Telstra was another of the poor performers, down 2c at $2.80.
