* Graincorp biggest pct gainer on the benchmark
* CSL Ltd climbs to a record high
* Tech stocks set to post their seventh straight gain
By Shreya Mariam Job
Nov 15 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose on Friday after a record Wall Street close while the gold mining sector also provided some support as investors sought the safe-haven allure of the precious metal amid uncertainty about a Sino-U.S. trade resolution.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.5%, or 36.4 points, to 6,771.50 by 0100 GMT. The benchmark rose 0.6% on Thursday.
"The markets are certainly in a 'buy the dip' mentality now than more of a 'sell the rally'," said Nick Twidale, director & co-founder at Xchainge.
"When there's no fresh sentiment drivers the market will grind higher to the topside," Twidale added noting a change in the market sentiment over the past couple of weeks.
Sentiment was also buoyed by upbeat comments from White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow who said United States is getting close to a trade agreement with China. stocks rallied 1.2%, buoyed by a 5.1% rise in Dacian Gold DCN.AX and a 2.7% rise in Saracen Mineral Holdings Ltd SAR.AX .
Spot gold prices had risen overnight to $1,472.66 per ounce amid doubts about a trade deal between China and the United States. GOL/
Gold stocks also lifted the Aussie mining sub-index .AXMM which rose 1.1%.
The heavyweight miners also saw an uptick with BHP Group Ltd BHP.AX rising 1.3% and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) Ltd RIO.AX gaining 0.6%.
Meanwhile, Graincorp GNC.AX was the biggest percentage gainer on the benchmark, rising 7.5% after Australia's competition regulator gave the green light to the takeover of the company's domestic bulk liquids terminals business by ANZ Terminals. The regulatory obstacles had kept the deal on hold delaying Graincorp's restructuring efforts. government also approved China Mengniu Dairy Co's 2319.HK A$1.43 billion ($980.27 million) takeover of infant formula maker Bellamy's Australia Ltd BAL.AX , sending it to an over one year high. stocks .AXIJ maintained their winning streak for a seventh consecutive session rising as much as 1%.
These are the preferred stocks chosen to beef up investor portfolios in a bullish market, Twidale said, as seen in the 10% boost to the sub-sector from its current rally, as of last close.
Shares of Appen APX.AX rose 1.5% and those Link Administration Holdings LNK.AX gained 4.3%.
Healthcare stocks .AXHJ extended gains to rise 0.8% with biotherapeutics company CSL CSL.AX at a record high, gaining as much 1.1%.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.5% or 58.94 points to 10,958.19.
Shares of Ryman Healthcare Ltd RYM.NZ and Infratil Ltd IFT.NZ were the top percentage gainers on the bourse logging 3.1% and a 2.7% gains, respectively.