Australia: Shares close up, New Zealand hits record high

[SYDNEY] Australian shares rose 0.7 per cent on Wednesday on hopes for further easing of global monetary policy.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed at 5,488.7 points after its biggest one-day gain since July 11. The benchmark closed down 0.1 per cent on Tuesday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index closed up 0.25 per cent at 7,172.67, having earlier hit an all-time high of 7,174.7.

REUTERS