Australia: Energy stocks push shares higher, New Zealand rises

[BENGALURU] Australian shares edged higher on Wednesday as energy stocks rose tracking an uptick in oil prices, though losses in gold and technology capped gains.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.11 per cent to 7,041.5 points by 0027 GMT.

The top percentage gainer on the benchmark index was Ansell, rising 5.1 per cent after projecting strong sales growth for the half year and full year.

The top percentage losers on the index were St Barbara, with a 7.6 per cent fall, and JB Hi-Fi, losing 3.9 per cent, as both companies reported disappointing earnings for the quarter.

Shares of Bingo Industries were the most traded by volume for the second day in a row, after it said on Tuesday it would be bought by funds managed by Macquarie Group for US$1.8 billion.

Among sectors, energy stocks rose 0.7 per cent, tracking gains in oil prices.

Viva Energy Group led gains with a 3.8 per cent rise, building on Tuesday's gains after it said it expected US$15 million in government aid for refinery in the first quarter.

Financial stocks rose 0.74 per cent led by QBE Insurance Group, up 2.28 per cent, followed by Virgin Money UK PLC , gaining 2.03 per cent.

Technology stocks fell 0.6 per cent with Link Administration Holdings Ltd leading the losses with a 3.7 per cent drop after a consortium including Carlyle Group and Pacific Equity Partners withdrew its bid for the company.

Miners fell 1.23 per cent while gold stocks fell 2.28 per cent. St Barbara was the top loser on both the indexes.

In other markets, Japan's Nikkei was down 0.11 per cent at 28,958.98, while S&P 500 E-minis futures were up 1.75 points, or 0.04 per cent.

In New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.31 per cent to 12,659.6. The top percentage losers on the index were SKY Network Television, down 2.84 per cent, and Oceania Healthcare, losing 1.43 per cent.

REUTERS