Australia Stocks Update: S&P/ASX 200 Rises 15.20 to 4,881.60

By Darren Boey

Aug. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's benchmark stock index, the S&P/ASX 200 Index, rose 0.31 percent at 10:05 a.m.

The index of 201 companies traded on the Australian Stock Exchange rose 15.20 to 4,881.60. Among the stocks in the index, 61 rose, 52 fell and 88 were unchanged.

Gains in the S&P/ASX 200 Index were led by Bhp Billiton Ltd, Csl Ltd/australia and Incitec Pivot Ltd. About 43.87 million shares changed hands on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Bhp Billiton Ltd, which rose A$1.10 to A$38.10, was the most active stock by value in Australia.

The next most-active issues were Commonwealth Bank Of Australia, which fell 34 cents to A$40.66, and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, which fell 23 cents to A$15.92.