Australia: Shares inch up, NZ stocks close to record high

[SYDNEY] Australian shares nudged up 0.1 per cent on Tuesday, buoyed by gains in industrials and healthcare stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose to 5,116.7 at the close of trade in the fifth consecutive session of gains. The benchmark has rallied nearly 2 per cent since touching a two-year trough last week.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rallied 0.4 per cent or 27.15 points to finish the session at 6,147.970, within striking distance of a record high of 6,162.97 touched earlier this month.

REUTERS