Australian shares rally

Australian shares jumped 1.4 percent to their highest close in more than five months on Wednesday as top miners posted hefty gains, banks rose and retailers attracted interest. It was BHP's second best one-day percentage gain this year. "Australian stocks were let off the leash today," said Tim Waterer, dealer at CMC Markets.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index gained 60 points to 4,348.7, according to the latest data, the highest close since October 28 and the biggest one-day percentage gain in two months. The index slipped 0.3 percent on Tuesday.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index advanced 1.2 percent to 3,522.8, a one-month high. New Zealand's consumer price index is due on Thursday.