Australia shares trim losses as RBA leaves rates on hold

SYDNEY: Australian shares eased 0.5 percent on Tuesday after discouraging US factory orders hit Wall Street and political ructions in Spain and Italy spurred profit-taking, but the Australian central bank's decision to keep interest rates on hold helped to trim losses.

The S&P/ASX 200 index ended 24.8 points lower at 4,882.7 according to latest data. The benchmark index hit an intraday high of 4,951 but ended down 13.6 points at 4,907.5 on Monday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index finished 34.5 points lower at 4,212.