* The Australian standard is the best day since November 24th
* Gold stocks see the best day in nearly 2 months
* New Zealand Markets Closed for Public Holidays (Updates to close)
Jan 4 (Reuters) – Australian shares ended the first trading day of the new year on a hard note as mining stocks hit strong iron ore prices and bullion, while COVID-19 cases fell sharply the largest state in the country also helps emotion. .
The S & P / ASX 200 index rose 1.5% to 6,684.20 points at the close of trading, marking the best day since November 24th.
Gold stocks led gains among the sub-sectors, rising above 5%, as bullion prices hit an eight-week high amid a spike in global COVID-19 cases and the expectation of tougher coronavirus control measures.
Evolution Mining Heavyweights, Newcrest Mining and Northern Star Resources gained between 3% to 4%.
Miners fell a climb of 2.7%, as iron ore prices extended their bull run into the new year, jumping more than 3% bolstered by tight supply and strong demand.
Fortescue Metals Group earned 4.8% to earn the highest rating, while Rio Tinto added up to 1.3%.
Investor sentiment also picked up after Australia’s most populous state in New South Wales on Monday reported local zero-coronavirus cases for the first time in nearly three weeks.
However, shares of business support services provider Link Administration fell about 14% after US-based SS&C Technology Holdings launched its $ 3.02 billion ($ 2.32 billion) purchase offer.
New Zealand markets were closed for public holidays. ($ 1 = 1,2990 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Shruti Sonal in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)