Australia: Shares fall from three-week high

[SYDNEY] Australian shares fell nearly 0.5 per cent on Tuesday as profit taking weighed on prices that had earlier hit a three-week top.

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 21.62 points to 4,979.6 points, a fall of 0.43 per cent at the close of trade. The benchmark rose 1 per cent on Monday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.59 per cent or 36.2 points to finish the session at 6,175.67 points.

REUTERS