Miners gain in Sydney as gold, oil prices rise

Mining and energy companies were among the best performers in morning trade in Sydney on Friday, buoyed by stronger commodity prices.

The ASX All Ordinaries Gold index was up 1.8 per cent as the price of the precious metal built on gains overnight, adding 0.2 per cent on Friday to reach $1,278 an ounce.

Shares in Regis Resources were up 2.9 per cent and Newcrest Mining was 2.0 per cent higher, while St Barbara and Evolution Mining added 1.7 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively.

Energy companies were also higher as the price of oil likewise added to overnight gains, with Brent crude up 0.4 per cent at $60.86 a barrel.

The S&P/ASX 200 Energy index was up 0.7 per cent, with Beach Energy increasing 3.3 per cent, Woodside Petroleum up 1.3 per cent and Santos 1.0 per cent higher.

The gains helped push the broader S&P/ASX 200 index up 0.5 per cent.

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