Australia shares up tracking Wall Street surge; NZ climbs

[BENGALURU] Materials and financial stocks drove Australian shares higher on Thursday, fuelled by gains in commodity prices and an overnight surge on Wall Street.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.9 per cent or 52.80 points to 5,808.50 by 0311 GMT. The benchmark ended 0.7 per cent higher Wednesday.

The overnight rally in Wall Street was helped by financial stocks which rose after the Federal Reserve ratified plans from US banks to use extra capital for stock buybacks and dividends.

Christopher Conway, head of research and trading at Australian Stock Report, said that after a great deal of commentary over bank taxes and risks in the property market, any positive coverage of financial institutions was likely to be welcomed by Australian investors.

The financials index rose as much as 1.6 per cent to its highest in more than a month.

The "Big Four" banks were among the top five gainers on the benchmark after they rose between 1.6 per cent and 2.1 per cent.

Bank of Queensland Ltd rose as much as 2.6 per cent to its highest since May 23 while Macquarie Group Ltd climbed 2.1 per cent.

The benchmark also gained some support from iron ore which rallied more than 3 per cent on Wednesday, hitting its highest in a month.

The metals and mining index advanced 2.1 per cent, its biggest intraday per centage gain in over two months.

BHP Billiton Ltd rose as much as 2.4 per cent, its best day since April 10. Miners Rio Tinto Ltd climbed 2.3 per cent while South32 Ltd rose as much as 2.6 per cent to a two-week high.

The three miners and the mining index are on track to record a sixth session of gains.

Gold prices also rose overnight as the US dollar weakened for a second straight day.

Newcrest Mining Ltd climbed 1.2 per cent while Evolution Mining Ltd rose 4.3 per cent.

Real-estate was down with Aveo Group and BWP Trust each falling 3.5 per cent.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.6 per cent or 43.89 points to 7,668.38.

Healthcare and consumer discretionary stocks led the broad based gains on the index.

Retirement community operator Summerset Group Holdings Ltd advanced 4.8 per cent while online marketplace operator Trade Me Group Ltd hit a one-month high after rising as much as 1.9 per cent.

New Zealand's business confidence hit a nine-month high in June which was led by the agricultural sector, an ANZ Bank survey showed on Thursday.

REUTERS

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