Australia Stocks Update: S&P/ASX 200 Rises 18.00 to 5,016.30

By Nicolas Johnson

July 4 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's benchmark stock index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index, rose 0.36 percent at 10:05 a.m.

The index of 200 companies traded on the Australian Stock Exchange rose 18.00 to 5,016.30. Among the stocks in the index, 64 rose, 47 fell and 89 were unchanged.

Gains in the S&P/ASX 200 Index were led by Bhp Billiton Ltd, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. About 55.82 million shares changed hands on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Bhp Billiton Ltd, which rose 40 cents to A$40.22, was the most active stock by value in Australia.

The next most-active issues were Brambles Ltd, which fell 41 cents to A$7.70, and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, which rose 38 cents to A$19.09.