By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - The S&P/ASX 200 added 67.8 points or 0.91% to 7484.8 in early trade on Thursday, recovering from losses of 0.27% in the previous session as investors cheered better than expected data from the U.S. Empire state manufacturing index, which lifted from 18.3 to 34.3 in September.
In coronavirus news, Victoria tallied a fresh outbreak high of 514 cases today as health authorities slightly eased restriction, with the state expected to hit its vaccine milestone of 70 per cent first dose vaccinations ahead of schedule. Premier Daniel Andrews is set to provide a roadmap on the state's path to exit lockdown on Sunday, or possibly earlier. New South Wales tallied 1351 cases as Premier Gladys Berejiklian eased curfew restrictions in the state after hitting its 80% single dose vaccination target.
Among stocks, miners were stronger with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) up 0.1%, BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) adding 2.04% and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) gaining 0.56%. Energy stocks also performed as oil prices jumped, with Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) gaining 1.44% and Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX:WPL) up 2.63%.
Ahead in the session, investors will be closely monitoring fresh employment data for further clues as to the economic effects of extended lockdowns across the country.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 fell 36.52 points or 0.28% to 13095.97.