Australia shares end marginally higher; New Zealand bounces back

[SYDNEY] Australian shares recovered on Tuesday to close slightly higher after overnight strength on Wall Street and upbeat US consumer spending data lifted sentiment.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index finished up 9.083 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 5478.3.

Gains were driven by healthcare and energy stocks, with hospital operator Ramsay Health Care Ltd closing at a record high after it reported its full-year earnings.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index closed 0.28 per cent, or 20.6 points, higher to finish the session at 7387.95.

Auckland International Airport Ltd and medical devices maker Fisher & Paykel Ltd were the biggest gainers on the index.

REUTERS