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Oct 7 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed higher in light trade on Monday, tracking Wall Street gains after U.S. employment data on Friday reduced concerns over a possible recession in the world's largest economy.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.7% to end at 6563.60.
Trading was subdued owing to public holidays across a number of Australian states, including New South Wales and Queensland. Volumes were just a little above one-third of their 30-day average.
Australian stocks were also recovering from their worst week in 11 months, losing about 3%, as signs of weak business activity globally saw investors pulling out of risky assets.
The jobs data from the United States and the drop in the unemployment rate to the lowest in 50 years led major indexes to rise more than 1% on Friday.
"The U.S. economy, having had some pretty poor data points earlier in the week, seemed to be fairly robust- the equity markets liked it," said Damian Rooney, director of equity sales at Argonaut.
However, it could be "more of a mark-up than real conviction," he added, noting that there were still a number of "speedbumps" in store for markets from uncertainty over slowing economic growth and political ructions in the United States and Europe.
Mining stocks .AXMM were among Monday's key drivers for the ASX 200 index, bolstered by gold stocks.
The ASX Gold Index .AXGD finished 1.6% higher on firmer bullion, with Aurelia Metals AMI.AX and Ramelius Resources RMS.AX ending more than 8% and 6% higher, respectively.
Investment conglomerate Washington H Soul Pattinson SOL.AX was the top gainer by percentage. It rose more than 7%, which domestic media attributed to a target price hike by brokerage Shaw and Partners.
Financial stocks .AXFJ tracked their Wall Street peers higher .SPSY , with the country's Big Four banks posting gains between 0.3% and 0.7%.
Technology stocks .AXIJ , the best performing sector on the ASX 200 this year, closed the session about 1.4% higher, led by software firm WiseTech Global WTC.AX , which finished up over 4% and was among the top percentage gainers on the benchmark.
New Zealand stocks closed 0.8% or 82.8 points higher at 10,975.62.
Fonterra FSF.NZ , the world's largest dairy producer, was the top percentage gainer on the benchmark .NZ50 , finishing 5.8% higher.