Australia: Shares end lower as miners, banks weigh

[SYDNEY] Australian shares ended Thursday's session 0.21 per cent lower as investors sold banks before they trade ex-dividend and falling iron ore prices dragged down miners.

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 11.8 points to 5,506.1. The benchmark was mostly unchanged on Wednesday closing at 5,517.9 points.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 0.03 per cent or 1.46 points to finish the session at 5,403.6.

REUTERS