Australia: Shares weighed down by China factory survey

[SYDNEY] Australian shares lost 0.35 per cent on Monday as a private survey showed weaker-than-expected factory activity in the country's largest trading partner, China.

The S&P/ASX 200 index was down 19.864 points to 5679.300 at the close of trade. The benchmark rose 0.52 per cent on Friday, and in July notched its first monthly gain since February.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 0.62 per cent or 36.89 points to finish the session at 5,957.850.

REUTERS