By Sarah Turner
SYDNEY (MarketWatch) -- Australian shares gained in early trading Friday, after some more encouraging economic data from the U.S. bolstered sentiment ahead of key U.S. job numbers due out later in the global trading day. The S&P/ASX 200 index (AU:XJO 4,694, +17.96, +0.38%) advanced 0.8% to 4,712.20. Mining stocks led the advance, with Rio Tinto Ltd. (AU:RIO 86.42, +1.41, +1.66%) (RIO 68.94, +2.41, +3.62%) shares up 1.8% and BHP Billiton Ltd. (AU:BHP 44.59, +0.26, +0.59%) (BHP 87.43, +1.92, +2.25%) 1.1% higher. Financials also were advancing, with Westpac Banking Corp. (AU:WBC 21.93, -0.03, -0.14%) (WEBNF 20.95, +0.15, +0.72%) shares up 1%. |
