Australia, NZ: Australia shares extend losses, NZ falls more than 1%

[SYDNEY] Australian shares fell on Thursday, extending two-day losses to nearly 1.5 per cent, as a stronger US dollar weighed on energy and mining stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.6 per cent, or 32.86 points, to 5,323.3 at the close of trade. The benchmark fell 0.74 per cent on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 1.1 per cent or 79 points to finish the session at 6,903.6 points.

REUTERS