Australian shares eased slightly on Thursday, led by real estate stocks, as the Australian dollar rallied on data that showed a record trade surplus last month. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 7.76 points, or 0.14 percent, to 5,645.4 at the close of trade.
The Australian dollar surged 0.7 percent to $0.7639, after the country reported a larger-than-expected trade surplus thanks to surging commodity prices. Real estate stocks were a main driver behind the market's decline. Shopping centres operator Scentre Group fell 1.13 percent, while property company Stockland Corporation Ltd slipped 1.37 percent. Three of the 'Big 4' banks slipped and Westpac Banking Corp was flat. Qantas Airways Ltd eased 1.2 percent, while rival Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd closed 2.3 percent weaker.
Rio Tinto Ltd climbed 0.22 percent, major gold producer Newcrest Mining Ltd rose 2.17 percent, and South32 Ltd ended 0.7 percent higher.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.03 percent, or 1.96 points, to finish the session at 7,053.54.
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