2013.06.1104:51:59UTC+00Aussie stocks advance in holiday return

Australian stocks returned from a three-day weekend to push strong Tuesday, with energy shares pricing in gains for crude oil, but weakness in miners and airlines capping the gains. The S&P/ASX 200 traded 0.2% more to 4,747.00, with Woodside Petroleum Ltd. climbing 1.3%, Oil Search Ltd. jumped 0.9%, and Karoon Gas Australia Ltd. climbing 2.9%. But lackluster Chinese economic data out over the weekend helped push BHP Billiton Ltd. missed 0.3%, while Newcrest Mining Ltd. tumbled 2.8% with benchmark Comex gold futures back below the $1,400 mark. Shares of Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd. plunged 3.2%, as The Australian reported it may soon begin flights to Singapore.