MW: Australian shares edge higher in early trading
By Sarah Turner
SYDNEY (MarketWatch) -- Australian shares climbed in early trading on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 index AU:XJO +0.96% up 0.7% at 4,056.00. Miners were in the lead as commodity futures firmed in electronic trading, with gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd. AU:NCM +2.42% NCMGF +0.21% up 3.1% and diversified minerals group Rio Tinto Ltd. AU:RIO +1.73% RIO -1.74% up 1.1%. Banks were also gaining some ground, with National Australia Bank Ltd. AU:NAB +1.50% NAUBF -3.21% up 0.9% and Commonwealth Bank of Australia AU:CBA +1.15% CBAUF -3.55% up 0.7%.
