Australia: Shares end flat as gold, energy stocks fall

[SYDNEY] Australian shares closed unchanged on Tuesday as gains in tech stocks were countered by declines among gold and energy sectors due to a fall in commodity prices.

The S&P/ASX 200 index ended up 0.03 per cent at 7,443.4.

The gold sub-index was down 0.8 per cent, tracking lower gold prices after an uptick in US dollar and bond yields.

Regis Resources led losses on the sub-index after falling as much as 7 per cent after its September-quarter gold production and sales missed analysts' estimates.

The energy sub-index fell 0.5 per cent with Whitehaven Coal and Oil Search leading losses on the index sliding 4.2 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively.

Dalian coking coal and coke futures moved in and out of positive territory after top consumer China said it would tame surging prices of coal amid tight supply in the region.

Besides, concerns loomed that the approaching La Niña pattern that usually delivers harsh winters could further worsen Asia's energy crisis, said Hina Chowdhary, Director of Research, Kalkine Group.

Tech stocks rose 1.3 per cent with gains led by Codan and Megaport jumping 3.7 per cent and 3.9 per cent, respectively while buy-now-pay-later heavyweight Afterpay was up 3.3 per cent.

"Investors are expected to assess how tech firms are mitigating labour shortages, supply bottlenecks and inflationary pressures to sustain growth," she added.

Tech stocks took cues from Wall Street, where Dow Industrials and S&P 500 closed at record highs overnight.

In New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.1 per cent to 13,075.41 with consumer and healthcare stocks leading losses on the index.

REUTERS