Australia: Shares end flat after Chinese GDP

[Sydney] Australian shares lost early gains to end little changed on Tuesday in weak volume after data showing China's economy grew in the third quarter at its slowest pace since the global financial crisis.

Economic growth in China, Australia's No 1 trading partner, slowed to a near-six-year low of 7.3 per cent in the third quarter from a year earlier. The figure was slightly above market expectations for 7.2 per cent, but down from 7.5 per cent in the second quarter.

The S&P/ASX 200 index pared gains to end up 0.1 per cent or 5.6 points at 5,325. The benchmark ended 0.9 per cent higher on Monday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index ended up 0.7 per cent or 35.2 points at 5,233.12. REUTERS