Australia, NZ: Shares end higher, banks, resources lead

[SYDNEY] Australian shares ended up 0.9 per cent on Tuesday, led by gains in banks and resources stocks after disappointing Chinese manufacturing data stoked hopes that Beijing would take further steps to boost growth.

The S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 41.37 points to 4,922.3 at the close of trade. The "Big Four" banks soared with ANZ Banking Group and Westpac Banking Corp adding 3 per cent and 2.5 per cent respectively.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index also inched higher, closing up 0.8 per cent, or 50.03 points, at 6,280.90.

REUTERS