April 7 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose on Tuesday, taking cues from U.S. and European equities overnight, as reports of slowing fatalities from the coronavirus outbreak raised optimism that the fight against the disease was reaching an inflection point.
The S&P/ASX 200 index gained as much as 2.6% to 5,423.10, its highest in more than three weeks, and was up 1.6% by 0125 GMT.
Overnight, all three major U.S. indexes clocked major gains, advancing more than 7% each, while German shares jumped 5.8% and the pan-European benchmark STOXX 600 index ending 3.7% higher.
"Globally, equity markets are responding to reports of declining infection and fatality rates in Europe, and the ending of the lockdown in Wuhan," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets.
"An almost 6% gain in German equities and more than 7% jump in U.S. equities overnight see Australian investors adding to yesterday's lift."
Both Italy and France reported a marked slowdown in the coronavirus death toll and new infections as of Sunday, while New York state witnessed a decline in daily new hospitalizations.
In Australia, the death toll rose to 40 on Monday, with more than 5,700 confirmed cases. The country has seen a sharp drop in the daily rate of new cases after closing national and state borders, and imposing restrictions on businesses and public life.
The heavyweight financials sub-index rose 3.5%, with the Big Four banks adding nearly 4% each. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the country's top lender, and Westpac Banking Corp gained up to 3.7% each.
Mining stocks added 3%, marking their third consecutive session of gains, with heavyweights Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group up 3.4% and 6.5%, respectively.
Energy stocks climbed for a seventh straight session, rising 3.4%. Woodside Petroleum added 3.5%, while Santos Ltd soared nearly 7%.
Meanwhile, Oil Search said it would raise up to A$1.16 billion ($706 million) through a discounted share sale and cut costs as it looks to weather a prolonged period of weak oil prices.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index advanced as much as 2.8% to 10,040.98, its highest in nearly a month.
New Zealand, under lockdown since March 25, has recorded just over 1,100 confirmed cases, with one death linked to the virus.
Westpac Banking Corp's shares in New Zealand were up nearly 5%, while electricity generator Meridian Energy advanced 5.8%. (Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

Sumber : reuters.com