Australian shares rose on Thursday, underpinned by strong gains in mining stocks and financials, with sentiment boosted by news of robust expansion in Australian manufacturing last month. The S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 0.9 percent or 52.4 points to 6,090.1, its highest close since January 10. The benchmark added 0.3 percent on Wednesday.
Australian manufacturing posted solid expansion last month with demand, both domestic and offshore, strong enough to allow firms to raise prices to protect profit margins, a survey showed on Thursday. Materials stocks were sought after, with mining giant BHP Billiton up 1.5 percent and rival Rio Tinto Ltd gaining 1.1 percent. Financials led the gainers, with the sectoral index gaining 1.2 percent. CBA's shares rose 1.5 percent and were the main index's biggest support.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.7 percent or 58.14 points to 8,383.87 on broad-based declines. Utilities and health care stocks dragged most on the index, with Contact Energy Ltd declining 2.3 percent and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd losing 1.1 percent.