By Ian C. Sayson
Nov. 3 (Bloomberg) -- The S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed 106.90 points, or 2.7 percent, to 4,124.90 as of 12:15 p.m. in Sydney. The measure advanced for the fourth day, its longest winning streak since Aug. 12. The S&P/ASX 200 Index futures contract due in December rose 2.5 percent to 4,137, while the All Ordinaries Index gained 105.10, or 2.6 percent, to 4,087.80.
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, rose 90 cents, or 3.2 percent, to A$28.89 after a measure of metals prices completed its biggest weekly gain in more than two years. Rio Tinto Group (RIO AU), the third- biggest metals producer, climbed A$2.07, or 2.7 percent, to A$79.67, heading for a six-day, 24 percent advance.
A measure of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange surged 7.8 percent last week, its sharpest weekly advance since June 2006. It's the measure's first weekly gain since Sept. 12.
Retailers: Wesfarmers Ltd. (WES AU), Australia's second- largest retailer, added 69 cents, or 3.2 percent, to A$22.16, set for its highest close since Oct. 21 after the government said consumers spent more on food and clothing. Woolworths Ltd. (WOW AU), the nation's biggest retailer, added 67 cents, or 2.4 percent, to A$28.47.
Australian retail sales rose 0.2 percent in September, the Bureau of Statistics said in Sydney today.
APN News & Media Ltd. (APN AU), the publisher of more than 100 newspapers in Australia and New Zealand, jumped 37 cents, or 15 percent, to A$2.78, heading for its biggest gain based on data that goes back to May 1992. The company appointed ABN Amro Holdings NV to advise on the possible stake sale by its largest shareholder, Independent News & Media Plc.
Atlas Iron Ltd. (AGO AU), the Australian iron ore company that's started production at its Pardoo mine, jumped 7 cents, or 9.6 percent, to 80 Australian cents after the company said it completed its first sale of iron ore shipment.
James Hardie Industries NV (JHX AU), the largest seller of home siding in the U.S., rose 28 cents, or 6.6 percent, to A$4.53, on course for its biggest gain since Oct. 1.
U.S. stocks rose, capping the biggest weekly gain since 1974, after JPMorgan Chase & Co. took steps to stem the housing crisis, bank lending rates declined and earnings from companies outside the financial industry expanded four times faster than the previous quarter. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index advanced 1.5 percent to 968.75.
Macmahon Holdings Ltd. (MAH AU), an Australian contract miner and construction company, gained 2.5 cents, or 3.4 percent, to 75.5 Australian cents. The stock was upgraded to ``buy'' from ``neutral'' by UBS AG.
Mt. Gibson Iron Ltd. (MGX AU), an Australian iron ore producer exporting to China, declined 2.5 cents, or 6.2 percent, to 38 Australian cents. The company said it agreed to sell A$162.5 million ($109 million) in shares to shareholders APAC Resources Ltd. and Shougang Concord International Enterprises Co. It also cut production forecast by 31 percent and said it will discount ore sold for the rest of the year.
Westpac Banking Corp. (WBC AU), Australia's second-biggest bank by market value, increased 66 cents, or 3.3 percent, to A$20.94, heading for its biggest gain since Oct. 20. The bank today announced the ``expected appointment'' of St. George Bank Ltd. (SGB AU) Chairman John Curtis as Westpac deputy chairman and the appointments of two St. George directors as Westpac directors. St George, which is merging with Westpac, added A$1.015, or 3.8 percent, to A$28.75.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ian C. Sayson in Manila at isayson@bloomberg.net.
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