April 11 -- Australian stocks rose, extending a record. Alumina Ltd. and BHP Billiton Ltd. led resources shares higher after copper prices climbed to a seven-month high and U.S.- based Alcoa Inc. posted its most profitable quarter ever.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed 21.30, or 0.4 percent, to 6174.30 as of 10:11 a.m. in Sydney. About 11 stocks gained for every seven that fell. A measure of materials companies, including BHP and Alumina, gained 0.7 percent, the biggest increase among the benchmark's 10 industry groups.
New Zealand's NZX 50 Index rose 0.1 percent to 4185.85 as of 12:10 p.m. in Wellington.
BHP, the world's biggest mining company, added 26 cents, or 0.9 percent, to A$30.74. Rio Tinto Group, the third-biggest, gained A$1.12, or 1.4 percent, to A$82.90. Alumina, a partner with Alcoa in a venture with a quarter of the world's alumina production capacity, rose 11 cents, or 1.4 percent, to A$7.73.
A measure of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange, including copper and zinc, climbed 2.4 percent. Copper surged 4.9 percent to a seven-month high. Alcoa Inc., the world's biggest aluminum maker, said yesterday net income rose 8.9 percent to $662 million in the first quarter as rising metal demand from China and the aerospace industry boosted prices.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index's futures contract for June added 0.4 percent to 6203. The broader All Ordinaries Index rose 0.2 percent to 6151.20.
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