* Aussie benchmark on track for 4th session of gains
* Index set for over 6 pct loss in 2018, biggest annual drop since 2011
* NZ shares up 5 pct for year
By Nikhil Nainan
Dec 31 (Reuters) - Australian shares opened higher on Monday in a shortened last trading session of the year, helped by signs of progress in trade talks between the United States and China.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO gained 0.7 percent, in thin volumes, to 5,693.1 by 0011 GMT, on track for its fourth straight session of gains though not enough to offset an 8.4 percent loss in the final quarter of the year.
The benchmark has fallen just over 6 percent so far this year, which will be the largest annual decline since 2011.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he had a "long and very good call" with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that a possible trade deal between the United States and China was progressing well, raising hopes for a breakthrough in a dispute that has lasted for much of 2018. market's broad gains were supported by a 0.8 percent rise in financial stocks .AXFJ , a sector that has been under immense pressure this year over widespread revelations of misconduct that has hit some of the nation's largest financial institutions. The sub-index has tumbled over 14 percent in 2018.
The country's "Big Four" lenders were up in a range between 1.1 percent and 1.6 percent.
Meanwhile, mining stocks .AXMM were also up 1.1 percent with top miners BHP Group BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX climbing 1.7 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.
Gold stocks .AXGD , which have seen a near 10 jump this month on the back of an exceptionally disappointing end of the year for equities over concerns of slowing economic growth, have benefited from a flight to risk assets.
Newcrest Mining NCM.AX boosted the sub-index, rising 3.2 percent.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 closed 0.3 percent higher at 8,811.27. The country's benchmark gained about 5 percent this year, in contrast to its neighbour.
Top constituents a2 Milk Company ATM.NZ and Fletcher Building FBU.NZ added 2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.
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