http://nz.biz.yahoo.com//090702/16/d5eu.html

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SYDNEY, July 2 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose 0.8 percent on Thursday as companies geared to global growth such as miner BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX: BHP.ax) gained after manufacturing data around the world restored some confidence that an economic recovery was on track.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO was up 28.8 points at 3,903.6 by 0008 GMT, recovering from Wednesday's 2.1 percent fall.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO.ax) firmed 2.1 to A$52.69 percent after it received strong support for its $15.2 billion rights offer in the UK. [ID:nSYD476934].