Australia shares rise on eve of rates meeting, US vote

The Australian stockmarket has made up some lost ground ahead of an action-packed week of corporate earnings, central bank meetings and a presidential election in the United States.

The S&P/ASX 200 index finished 45.8 points higher, or 0.6 per cent, to 8164.6 on Monday, breaking a three-day streak of declines. The broader All Ordinaries was up 43.1 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 8422.8.

The local bourse followed Wall Street higher as equities rallied on Friday after digesting a US labour market report distorted by a short collection period and hurricanes.

Looking ahead, two big events out of the US will dominate the agenda - the Federal Reserve interest rate decision, and a close presidential election.

eToro analyst Josh Gilbert said the biggest risk for markets would be an uncertain election outcome.

"This could put investors into 'risk-off' mode until there's more clarity," he said.

"That could be good for safe-haven assets like bonds and gold and a short-term negative for stocks and crypto."

Australia's central bank is broadly expected to stay on hold at 4.35 per cent when the decision is announced on Tuesday afternoon, with investors on the lookout for hints of when interest rate cuts might materialise.

Stabilising job ad numbers as revealed in ANZ and Indeed's monthly report on Monday added to the narrative of a resilient labour market.

Energy and mining stocks were the only two ASX 200 sectors in in the red, down 0.7 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively.

Shares in mining giant Mineral Resources nose-dived 9.6 per cent as the board took action to move founder and managing director Chris Ellison out of the role in the next 18 months.

He was also fined $8.8 million and will lose remuneration of up to $9.6 million to reflect "significance of corporate governance and reputational issues to the company".

Other miners finished lower, with BHP down 0.4 per cent, to $42.60, Rio Tinto lost 1.3, to $119.74, and Fortescue fell 1.4 per cent, to $19.22.

The strongest-performing sectors were technology, up 1.7 per cent, communications services, up 1.7 per cent, and health, posting a 1.2 per cent gain.

Shares in Telix Pharmaceuticals rose 3.5 per cent following a "significant decision" by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding payments for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

Westpac shares were up 0.9 per cent to $32.40 after posting a $7 billion full-year profit that was roughly in line with expectations despite being three per cent lower on the previous year.

The other major banks were higher, with CBA up 1.6 per cent, to $144.35, NAB up 1.3 per cent, to $38.71, and ANZ lifted 0.6 per cent, to $31.26.

ON THE ASX:

* The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index finished 45.8 points higher, or 0.6 per cent, to 8164.6 on Monday.

* The broader All Ordinaries was up 43.1 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 8422.8

CURRENCY SNAPSHOT:

One Australian dollar buys:

* 66.06 US cents, from 65.75 US cents at Friday's ASX close

* 100.34 Japanese yen, from 100.27 Japanese yen.

* 60.63 Euro cents, from 60.45 Euro cents.

* 50.86 British pence, from 50.99 British pence.

* 109.99 NZ cents, from 109.93 NZ cents.