Australia: Shares edge lower, but banks lend support

[SYDNEY] Australian shares edged down 0.15 per cent on Wednesday on profit taking, with industrials weighing on the index although top performing banks minimised losses.

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 7.8 points to 5,258.3 at the close of trade. The benchmark rose nearly 2 per cent on Tuesday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 0.12 per cent or 7.4 points to finish the session at 6,143.3.

REUTERS