By Sarah Turner
SYDNEY (MarketWatch) -- Australian shares advanced in early trading on Monday after news out over the weekend that Ireland has turned to Europe for financial assistance. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO 4,644, +14.30, +0.31%) climbed 0.7% to 4,660.90. Financials were some of the strongest performers, with investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd. (AU:MQG 36.70, +0.24, +0.66%) (MCQEF 35.80, +3.75, +11.70%) up 1.2% and retail bank Westpac Banking Corp. (WBC 49.59, -0.07, -0.14%) (WEBNF 21.05, -0.28, -1.31%) moving 1% higher. Other firms advancing included pallet group Brambles Ltd. (AU:BXB 6.84, +0.10, +1.48%) (BMBLF 6.60, 0.00, 0.00%) , up 0.9%, and oil and gas firm Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (AU:WPL 41.41, +0.40, +0.98%) (WOPEF 42.10, -1.85, -4.21%) , up 1%. |
