Australia, NZ: Shares end up as investors turn to banks

[SYDNEY] The Australian share market closed slightly firmer on Tuesday as investors dumped resource stocks and turned to the major banks in search of yield.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 22.1 points, or 0.42 per cent, to close at 5,342.80.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index ended 0.35 per cent or 24.35 points higher, to finish the session at 6,909.40.

REUTERS