Australian shares rose sharply on Monday and were set for their best day in two months after the U.S. Senate passed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan, while last week's upbeat U.S. jobs data also supported sentiment.
Australian shares were expected to open higher on Monday, after global markets rose last week as investors cheered better-than-expected jobs data from the United States. The local share price index futures rose 1.6%, a 107-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark ended 0.7% lower on Friday. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.8% by 2120 GMT. (Reporting by Aditya Srivatsav; Editing by Daniel Walli
* Energy stocks rise on jump in oil prices (Updates to close)
Australian shares fell on Friday, following a slump on Wall Street as investors turned jittery after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell failed to quell concerns around rising U.S. bond yields.
Australian shares fell on Thursday as renewed worries about rising U.S. bond yields soured risk sentiment globally and a slew of local index heavyweights including Rio Tinto traded ex-dividend.
Australian shares climbed on Wednesday after a much faster-than-expected economic growth in the final quarter of 2020 cemented hopes of a stronger recovery this year.
Australian shares rose on Wednesday, with miners and gold stocks leading the gains, as investors remained upbeat on recovery hopes after data showed that the country's fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a faster-than-expected pace.
Australian shares ended lower on Tuesday, as the market appeared to show muted response towards the central bank's expected decision to stand pat on interest rates, while weak commodity prices also pressured miners and energy stocks.
Australian shares continued their climb on Tuesday, with technology stocks leading gains, as a rollout of another vaccine in the United States and optimism over a coronavirus relief package boosted hopes of a quicker global economic recovery.
* Auckland enters fresh seven-day lockdown (Updates to close)
The two top Democrats in New York's state legislature said on Sunday that sexual harassment allegations leveled against Governor Andrew Cuomo by five women, most of them former aides, have undermined his ability to lead and he should resign.