Australia: Shares hit 7-year peak, NZ shares hit record high

[SYDNEY] Australian shares edged to a fresh seven-year closing high on Wednesday as rises in oil and metals prices prompted investors to overlook another mixed bag of company earnings and buy resources stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.3 per cent, or 17.9 points, to 5944.9 at the close of trade, its third straight day of gains.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index surged to a record high amid an upbeat reporting season, gaining 2.1 per cent, or 119.3 points, to finish the session at 5842.3.

REUTERS