Australian shares advance as banks, miners rally

Key points

• Australian shares started the week higher on Monday, with banks rallying ahead of US earnings season. The S&P/ASX200 rose 0.76 per cent to 8783.2.
• Rebounding copper prices lifted BHP shares more than two per cent to $62.39, adding $7.3 billion to its market value. Westpac led the big four banks higher, while oil prices eased despite Middle East supply risks.
• The Australian dollar was buying 69.77 US cents.