Australian shares gain, commodity-linked stocks up
By Sarah Turner
SYDNEY (MarketWatch) -- Australian shares gained early on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 index AU:XJO +0.40% up 0.9% at 4,255.50. Commodity-linked stocks were among the best performers, with Paladin Energy Ltd. AU:PDN +5.02% PALAF +12.15% up 7.7%, BlueScope Steel Ltd. AU:BSL +2.38% BLSFF +2.22% up 4.8%, and White Energy Co. AU:WEC +2.83% WECFF +15.85% shares up 4.7%. Woodside Petroleum Ltd. AU:WPL +0.44% WOPEF +9.44% gained 1.9% after reporting that fiscal-year revenue rose 15% to $4.8 billion while leaving its 2012 production target unchanged. Copper, gold and oil futures were higher in electronic trading in Asia, after housing sentiment improved in the U.S. and reports that Greece may soon reach a deal with its creditors. Jobs figures are on tap for later in the Australian trading day.
[url]http://www.marketwatch.com/story/australian-shares-gain-commodity-linked-stocks-up-2012-01-18[/url]