KEY POINTS:
S&P/ASX200 +63.7 6362.3 Dow Jones 0 13577.30
All Ords +59.6 6392.2 S&P 500 0 1524.87
SPI contract +67.0 6380.0 Nasdaq 0 2644.95
Gold $USoz +0.50 654.90 Nikkei +52.76 18221.48
$A/USD -.00045 0.8574 NZSE-50 -3.555 4236.705
Melbourne, July 5 AAP - Australian stocks have marched higher, as the market takes some positives from the banking and resource sectors, with no lead from overseas following a public holiday in the United States.
At the 1615 AEST close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 63.7 points higher at 6362.3, while the all ordinaries added 59.6 points to 6392.2.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the September share price index contract was up 67 points to 6380 on a volume of 12,405 contracts.
"Despite no lead from offshore, with the July 4th holiday in the US, our market is bouncing along, certainly recovering quite well," Macquarie private client adviser Helen Spencer said.
Ms Spencer added that banks are well supported, but that the miners are providing the main impetus upwards.
"The resources are really the standout that have led the market higher, with Rio holding that $100 level," she said.
Australia's biggest miner, BHP Billiton, climbed 70 cents to $37.10, while rival Rio Tinto rose $2.16 to $102.51.
"The gold price has firmed up over the course of today ... generally the commodity prices have been firm, economic data has been supportive for commodity prices; but still talk of further upgrades in the sector is helping," she added.
Ms Spencer also said there were new fund inflows marking the start of the quarter and new financial year.
"A lot of superannuation money is no doubt finding a home in this market," she said.
Stock Move Price AMP +0.210 10.420 ANZ Bank +0.390 29.390 BHPBilton +0.700 37.100 CBA +0.690 55.100 NAB +0.230 40.820 NewsCorp +0.400 26.720 Rio Tinto +2.160 102.510 TelstraCp -0.020 4.650 WestpacBk +0.500 26.450 Woolwrths -0.050 27.600
