11.03.201302:13:04UTC+00Early trading gains for Aussie stocks

Australian shares ticked higher in early trading on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 index up 0.1% at 5,127.70. Miners weighed on the index, with BHP Billiton Ltd. decline 1% and  rio Tinto Ltd. by 1.9% lesser. Still, gold miners aid to limit losses in the sector, with Newcrest Mining Ltd. rising 1.2% and smaller Perseus Mining Ltd. increasing by 4%. Late Friday, an above than expectation U.S. non farm payrolls number boosted the U.S. stock market. however, data from China out over the weekend displayed higher consumer price inflation for February, raising the prospect of tighter monetary policy.