Australian stocks look set for a bright start on Monday, after equity markets rallied and commodities prices firmed during the offshore session.
Wall Street closed higher on Friday, as market participants were encouraged by better-than-expected US employment data.
And at the close of Friday night's session on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index futures contract was 65 points higher at 4840 points.
The Australian dollar also rallied, ending the US session at 90.76 US cents, up from Friday's local close of 90.06 US cents.
AMP Capital Investors chief economist Shane Oliver said he expected a "fairly solid" beginning to the week.
"I think we will see a gain of 60 to 70 points when the market opens on Monday," Dr Oliver said.
"The news globally was pretty good for Friday."
The US non-farm payrolls report showed the world's biggest economy lost 36,000 jobs in February, well below market expectations of a 67,000 decline.
The US unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.7 per cent.
Dr Oliver said the US jobs picture would have been even better were it not for the snowstorms that blanketed parts of the US in February.
"On our estimates, the snowstorms probably detracted 50,000 to 60,000 jobs," Dr Oliver said.
"It is consistent with stabilisation to modest positive employment growth starting to come through."
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 1.17 per cent, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced for a sixth straight session, climbing 1.40 per cent.
The Nasdaq composite index closed 1.48 per cent higher.
On commodities markets, the benchmark crude oil contract settled up $US1.29 and briefly touched $US82 a barrel, while gold and base metals prices also rose.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 0.35 per cent in cautious trading on Friday, while the broader All Ordinaries Index finished up 0.33 per cent.
Economics news from home and abroad were expected to be the main focus this week.
The latest employment figures are out on Thursday, while National Australia Bank's monthly business survey for February, the Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer confidence survey and housing finance data are also due for release.
An AAP survey of 11 economists published on Friday forecast the economy to have added 10,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate to have risen to 5.4 per cent, from 5.3 per cent in January.
Dr Oliver said there was a chance of a flat outcome in terms of jobs growth, given recent gains.
"Over the five months up to January, total employment grew by 195,000 jobs, which is incredibly strong," Dr Oliver said.
"You might have a bit of a pause there."
Dr Oliver said the consumer confidence survey would be looked at closely for an indication of how people have responded to last week's interest rate hike from the Reserve Bank.
Chinese data on inflation, retail sales, industrial production and trade are also expected on Thursday.
CommSec chief economist Craig James said in a research note: "China is Australia's major trading partner and the Reserve Bank has made no secret of the fact that activity in China is crucial to monetary policy settings here."
In corporate news, the focus among investors was expected to be on first half results for department store chain Myer Holdings due on Thursday.
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