Australia shares finish in positive territory; NZ falls

[BENGALURU] Australian shares ended marginally higher on Tuesday, after the central bank held interest rates unchanged, a widely expected decision given policymakers recently signalled a steady outlook for much of the year ahead.

The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate at a record low of 1.5 per cent in its monthly policy meeting on Tuesday.

Globally, markets await this week's US jobs data to ascertain the likely pace of interest rate rises.

Investors widely expect the Federal Reserve to raise rates at its March 14-15 meeting.

The S&P/ASX 200 index finished 0.3 per cent, or 14.89 points, higher at 5,761.40.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.2 per cent, or 11.11 points, at 7,167.63.

REUTERS