Australia: Shares retreat from 7-year high, NZ shares storm to new record

[SYDNEY] Australian shares retreated from multi-year highs on Thursday as weak economic data and mixed corporate earnings reports gave investors little incentive to buy.

After reaching a seven-year closing high on Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.6 per cent or 36.4 points to close at 5908.5.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index added 0.3 per cent or 19.4 points to a fresh all-time closing high of 5861.7.

REUTERS