Australia: Shares rise, led by consumer and tech names

[SYDNEY] Australian shares rose 0.8 per cent on Tuesday as investors brushed off initial fears that a leftist victory in Greece would produce turmoil in the euro zone.

The S&P/ASX 200 index added 42.78 points to 5,547.2 in the first trading session since last week's stellar gains. The benchmark surged 4 per cent last week, its biggest advance in three years.

Consumer, technology and healthcare stocks rose around 2.0 per cent on Tuesday, while telecommunication and financial shares chalked up smaller gains.

Shares in Commonwealth Bank of Australia scaled a record high of A$87.65.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rallied 0.7 per cent or 39.08 points to finish the session at 5,737.7.

REUTERS