Australia: Shares rise on optimism Britain to stay in EU; NZ stocks fall

[SYDNEY] Australian shares rose for a third straight session on Tuesday as investors grew increasingly optimistic the United Kingdom will vote to stay in the European Union.

However, shares in New Zealand fell.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 17.6 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 5,274.4 at the close of trade. The benchmark has risen for each of the past three sessions.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 30.1 points, or 0.4 per cent, to finish the session at 6,839.4.

REUTERS