News: XIJ Australian shares rise on energy boost; U.S. inflation data in focus

Sept 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose for a fourth straight session on Tuesday, as energy and mining stocks extended gains on strong commodity prices, while investors awaited U.S. inflation data that could influence the size of the Federal Reserve's next rate hike.

The S&P/ASX 200 index (xjo) had climbed 0.7% by 0014 GMT, adding 4% in the past four sessions.

U.S. consumer price index data for August, due later in the day, will be scrutinised for any signs regarding the number and size of future interest rate hikes from the Fed.

Energy stocks .AXEJ led the gains in Australia with a 1.4% jump and were set for their best day in more than a week if gains hold.

Oil and gas majors Woodside Energy (WDS) and Santos (STO) rose 1.4% and 2.2%, respectively.

Miners .AXMM climbed 0.9%, with iron ore behemoths BHP (BHP) and Rio Tinto (RIO) up 0.4% and 0.8% respectively.

Technology stocks .AXIJ advanced 0.6%, tracking gains in their Wall Street peers. ASX-listed shares of Block Inc (SQ2) rose 0.5%, while battery materials and technology firm Novonix (NVX) climbed 6.2% to lead the gains on the sub-index.

Financials .AXFJ added 0.8%, with the "big four" banks rising nearly 1% each.

Gold stocks .AXGD gained 1.5% on higher bullion prices. Newcrest Mining (NCM) , the country's biggest gold miner, rose 1.1%.

In corporate news, hospital operator Ramsay Health Care (RHC) said a consortium led by private equity giant KKR & Co Inc KKR.N had written to the company to say that it would not raise its A$14.5 billion buyout offer.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) inched higher 0.04% to 11,815.92.