Australian stocks advanced amid weak volume in early Monday trading, as investors positioned themselves before a two-day Christmas break, with miners generally higher.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3% to 4,637.80 at the beginning of the shortened trading day, with gold miner New crest Mining Limited (ASX:NCM)advancing 1.1% following gold futures made significant back to around $1,660 per ounce at the close of the previous week.[article_detail_ad_1]
Top mining firms BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited(ASX:RIO) (NYSE:RIO) gained 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively.
The West Texas Food Bank is currently $15,000 wealthier, on account of BHP Billiton Limited. The oil and gas company granted the West Texas Food Bank with a $15,000 payment on Friday morning.
The West Texas Food Bank states the donation will support the non-profit’s partner firms and the work they do in Reeves County.This year, additional $3.3 million meals were served to starving West Texas all over 19 counties.
Regional airline and buyout target Sky west has inked a new charter deal with mining giant Rio Tinto to transport mine workers in the Pilbara.
Skywest, which is ready be acquired by Virgin Australia, will run flights to Boolgeeda in Western Australia for employees at Rio Tinto’s Brockman 4 and surrounding mines, it announced on Monday.
Energy shares were similarly mostly higher, with Oil Search Limited (ASX:OSH) higher 0.6%, and Worley parsons Limited (ASX:WOR) advancing by 1.5%. Banks were miscellaneous in performance, with National Australia Bank Ltd.(ASX:NAB)declining 0.4%, and Macquarie Group Ltd. (ASX:MQG) lower 0.7%, whereas Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) gained 0.3%.
Shares of Billabong International Ltd. (ASX:BBG) moved up 1.2% laterthan the surf-wear company opened its books to anassociation of bidders to carry out due diligence.