Australian shares gain on commodity boost, retail sales data in focus
Aug 30 (Reuters) -Australian shares rose on Friday, helped by resources stocks on firmer commodity prices, while investors focused on July retail sales data due later in the day to assess consumer demand prospects.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.4% to 8,073 by 0020 GMT. The benchmark has fallen about 0.2% so far in the month after three consecutive months of advancements.
The retail sales report is expected to shed more light on consumer demand prospects in Australia where interest rates are at a 12-year high. A Reuters poll showed retail sales likely rose by 0.3% from June.
Data released earlier this week showed that inflation slowed to a four-month low in July but was slightly above forecasts.
Investors were also awaiting a key U.S. inflation report due later in the day for more clues about Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 0.59% to an all-time closing high. The S&P 500 index .SPX ended barely changed at 5,591.96, just below its July record closing high. The Nasdaq .IXIC declined 0.23% to 17,516.43.
In Sydney, mining stocks .AXMM rose 0.3% after iron ore prices closed higher on Thursday, buoyed by renewed hopes of improving demand in top consumer China in the coming weeks. IRONORE/
Gold stocks .AXGD rose 1.2% after bullion prices gained 1% overnight, fuelled by strong expectations of a Fed rate cut in September. GOL/
Shares of Northern Star Resources NST.AX and Evolution Mining EVN.AX climbed 0.7% and 1%, respectively.
Energy stocks .AXEJ gained 1.2% after oil prices rose overnight on supply disruptions in Libya and plans to lower output in Iraq. O/R
Overnight, Brent crude futures LCOc1 gained 1.6% to settle at $79.94 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 rose 1.9% to $75.91 a barrel.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 advanced 0.6% to 12,426.22.
Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu
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