Jan 16 (Reuters) - Australian shares on Monday rose to their highest in six weeks, amid broad-based gains, after U.S inflation data last week fanned hopes of slower rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.5% to 7,365 by 2347 GMT. The benchmark on Friday had posted its best week in nine.
U.S consumer prices fell unexpectedly for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years last month, data showed last week, signalling a downward trend in inflation.
Investors are now eyeing the December unemployment report in Australia, due on Thursday, which will likely give direction to the country's central bank for its rate-hike path.
Miners jumped 0.3%, with iron ore behemoths BHP Group and Rio Tinto gaining 0.1% each.
Energy added 0.5%, tracking overnight gains in oil prices.
Sector Majors Woodside Petroleum and Santos added 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively.
Gold and technology stocks rose over 1% and were among the top gainers on the index.
Australia's largest gold miner Newcrest Mining added 1.8%, while ASX-listed shares of Block Inc added 0.9%.
Financials jumped 0.6%. The "Big Four" banks rose between 0.1% and 0.9%.
Super Retail Group advanced as much as 7.6% and payment terminals firm Tyro Payments lifted 5.8%, with both stocks being among top gainers on the ASX. Baby goods retailer Baby Bunting lost nearly 12% on weak profit.
In New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.3% to 11787.09. (Reporting by Navya Mittal in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)
