Australia: Shares close up slightly as resources pull up broader index

[SYDNEY] Australian shares ticked higher on Thursday as a rebound in the iron ore prices pushed up resource stocks, but gains were capped by discouraging factory activity in China and selling of defensive counters, banks and retailers.

The S&P/ASX 200 index see-sawed in a narrow range before closing up 7.3 points or 0.1 per cent at 5,844.8.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 35.7 points or 0.6 per cent to finish the session at 5,757.9.

REUTERS