By Sarah Turner
SYDNEY (MarketWatch) -- Australian shares rose on Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 index AU:XJO +0.94% up 0.7% at 4,540.20. The mining sector performed strongly, with gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd. AU:NCM +1.00% NCMGF -0.75% up 1.6% and copper miner PanAust Ltd. AU:PNA +2.14% up 1.5% after most metal futures rose in New York on Thursday. Healthcare and financial firms were also strong, with insurer QBE Insurance Group Ltd. AU:QBE +2.44% QBEIF +0.66% higher by 1.6%. Blood products group CSL Ltd. AU:CSL +2.47% rose 1% after Credit Suisse upgraded the firm to outperform from neutral.
