Australia: Stocks end flat as miners stagnate

[SYDNEY] Australian shares were little changed on Monday, ending less than one point firmer, with major miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto showing only slight movement.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 0.942 points higher at 4,880.90. It rose 0.1 per cent on Friday.

The index of gold mining companies slipped 1.73 per cent despite a modest gain in gold prices.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index ended up 0.095 per cent, or 5.89 points higher.

REUTERS