By Ian Sayson
Oct. 30 (Bloomberg) -- The S&P/ASX 200 Index added 71.60 points, or 1.9 percent, to 3,917.20 as of 10:45 a.m. in Sydney, after advancing 1.3 percent yesterday from its lowest close in four years. The S&P/ASX 200 Index futures contract due in December climbed 2.1 percent to 3,930. The All Ordinaries Index gained 69.80, or 1.8 percent, to 3,875.60.
The following is a list of companies whose shares are among the most active in Australian trading. Stocks symbols are in parentheses after company names.
Mining stocks: BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP AU), the world's largest mining company, climbed for the fourth day, advancing A$1, or 3.8 percent, to A$27.30, after a measure of metal prices advanced the most in more than eight years. Rio Tinto Group (RIO AU), the world's third biggest, climbed A$3.97, or 5.6 percent, to A$74.75. Fortescue Metals Group (FMG AU), Australia's third- biggest iron ore producer, gained 10 cents, or 3.3 percent, to A$3.15.
A measure of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange rose for a third day, adding 8.6 percent, with copper up 13 percent and nickel rising 14 percent. It is the measure's biggest gain, according to data that goes back up to April 10, 2000.
Oil companies: Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (WPL AU), Australia's second-biggest oil producer, rose A$1.70, or 4.4 percent, to A$39.95 after crude prices advanced the most in a month. Santos Ltd. (STO AU), the third-biggest oil producer, climbed 97 cents, or 7.6 percent, to A$13.67.
Crude oil climbed more than $4 a barrel yesterday to $67.50 a barrel, its sharpest gain since Sept. 22, amid signs that central bank interest-rate cuts may help revive fuel demand. Oil was at $67.75 a barrel as of 7:14 a.m. in Singapore.
AGL Energy Ltd. (AGK AU), Australia's biggest power and gas retailer, added 25 cents, or 1.8 percent, to A$14. The company said today it agreed to sell its oil and gas interests in Papua New Guinea, including a 3.6 percent stake in a planned gas export project, for $800 million. Oil Search Ltd. (OSH AU), Papua New Guinea's biggest oil producer and one the companies that hold pre-emptive rights over AGL's stake, climbed 74 cents, or 20 percent, to A$4.45.
Centennial Coal Co. (CEY AU), Australia's fourth-largest coal producer, gained 15 cents, or 5 percent, to A$3.18 after the company said its expects profitability to increase in 2009, driven by overseas demand and ``improved'' exchange rates.
Gindalbie Metals Ltd. (GBG AU), a partner of Anshan Iron & Steel Group in an Australian iron ore mine, jumped 3 cents, or 8.7 percent, to 37.5 Australian cents, heading for its biggest gain since Oct. 14. The worst credit freeze since the 1930s will not stop the development of the A$1.8 billion ($1.2 billion) project, Gindalbie said.
Gunns Ltd. (GNS AU), which plans a A$2 billion wood pulp mill in Australia's Tasmania state, advanced 7.5 cents, or 6.9 percent, to A$1.16 after the company said overseas demand for woodchip remains positive and that talks are continuing on the pulp mill's financing.
Mt. Gibson Iron Ltd. (MGX AU), an Australian iron ore producer, sank 12 percent to 40.5 Australian cents when it last traded on Oct. 22. The company is seeking to sell shares to investors in China, Australia and the U.K. as the credit crunch slows sales and squeezes financing, two people familiar with the deal said.
Newcrest Mining Ltd. (NCM AU), Australia's largest gold mining company, added 73 cents, or 3.9 percent, to A$19.43 after company Chairman Donald Mercer said its cash flow will be able to fund new mine developments including its Cadia East project.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ian C. Sayson in Manila at isayson@bloomberg.net.
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