Aussie shares open higher following gains overseas

SYDNEY, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Australian stock market opened higher on Friday, buoyed by positive leads overseas and oil prices.

At 10:31 (AEDT), the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 28.5 points, or 0.48 percent at 6,006.2, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 26.3 points, or 0.43 percent at 6,087.1 points.

CMC Markets chief market strategist Michael McCarthy told Xinhua the positive start seen in the break through the 6,000 level on the main index was in response to the gains from the U.S. markets and rallies across the European continent, as well as a bounce back in oil prices.

"However, it's not all plain sailing for Australian investors today. There are a number of important data releases over the course of trading," he said.

Locally, there were latest home lending figures slated for release. More importantly, trade data from China and GDP and accompanying figures from Japan may affect trading in line with investor response to these, he said.

Mining giant BHP Billiton opened 0.33 percent higher while rival Rio Tinto slipped 0.5 percent. Fortescue Metals was down 0.66 percent and Newcrest Mining edged 0.22 percent lower. Oil Search rose 0.83 percent.

The banks started stronger, with ANZ up 0.53 percent, Commonwealth Bank of Australia 0.9 percent higher, National Australia Bank lifting 0.71 percent and Westpac rising 1.13 percent.

Supermarket chain Wesfarmers opened flat while rival Woolworths edged up 0.63 percent.

Qantas rose 1.97 percent and telecom giant Telstra lifted 1.37 percent. Biomed giant CSL edged up 0.08 percent. Enditem