Australia shares rise, driven by miners; NZ up as well

[BENGALURU] Australian shares ended slightly higher on Monday, as gains in materials and financials outweighed losses from healthcare and utility stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 index finished 0.29 per cent, or 16.899 points, higher at 5,746.5 Meanwhile, global risk appetite took a hit on rising geopolitical tensions, as North Korea fired four ballistic missiles early in the day.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index was up 0.25 per cent or 17.87 points, to finish the session at 7,178.74.

REUTERS