Cyber Monday Deal: Up to 60% off InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Australian shares rise in slim trade; NZ up

Published 07/10/2019, 11:47 am
Updated 07/10/2019, 11:50 am
© Reuters.  Australian shares rise in slim trade; NZ up
AUD/USD
-
AXJO
-
BHP
-
ANZ
-
RIO
-
RIO
-
SOL
-
WBC
-
AXMM
-
AXFJ
-
AXIJ
-
NZ50
-
FSF
-
SPSY
-
APT
-

* Gains more of a mark-up than conviction- Analyst

* Trading volumes at a 10th of their 30-day average

* Mining stocks among top boosts to ASX 200

By Ambar Warrick

Oct 7 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose on Monday, tracking strength on Wall Street after moderate employment data in the United States dispelled some concerns over a recession in the world's largest economy.

Trading volumes were subdued owing to public holidays across a number of Australian states, including New South Wales and Queensland.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.4% or 27.8 points to 6,544.90 by 0039 GMT, while trading volumes were at a tenth of their 30-day average.

Local stocks were also recovering from their worst week in 11 months, as signs of weak business activity from around the globe saw investors pulling out of risky assets in the face of a widespread economic slowdown.

" 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, and I think we're following suit a little bit this morning," said Damian Rooney, a director of equity sales at Argonaut.

"I think generally its 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 U.S. and Europe.

Mining stocks .AXMM were among the main drivers for the ASX 200, with heavyweights BHP Group BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) Ltd RIO.AX adding 0.3% and 0.7%, respectively. A weaker Australian dollar AUD= also lent some support to the resource exporters.

Conglomerate Washington H Soul Pattinson SOL.AX was the best intraday performer on the ASX 200.

Financial stocks .AXFJ tracked their Wall Street peers higher .SPSY , with the country's big four banks adding between 0.5% and 0.9%.

Technology stocks .AXIJ , which are the best performing sector on the ASX 200 this year, rose about 1.3%, led by a 3% rise in e-payment services provider Afterpay Touch Group APT.AX .

New Zealand stocks rose amid broad-based gains, with the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rising 0.6% or 64.6 points to 10,955.46.

The New Zealand shares of Westpac Banking Corp WBC.NZ and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group ANZ.NZ rose 1.4% and 0.8%, respectively.

Shares of Fonterra FSF.NZ , the world's largest dairy producer, were the top gainers on the NZ50 with a near 6% rise.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.