Australia shares close up, NZ hits another record

[SYDNE] Australian shares climbed 0.7 per cent on Tuesday, aided by across-the-board gains as sentiment was buoyed by better-than-feared results from several large companies so far.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 38.74 points to 5553.8 at the close of trade. The benchmark lost 0.21 per cent on Monday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.07 per cent, or 5.17 points, to finish the session at an all-time high of 7467.33.

REUTERS