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Australia shares inch up as financials, gold gain; inflation in focus

Australian shares ended the session partially higher on Monday, as gains in financials and gold stocks countered the losses in heavyweight miners and energy companies, while traders remained mindful ahead of an essential domestic inflation report this week.

The benchmark index S&P/ ASX 200 ended up 0.1% at 7,652.80 points.

Financiers were on their toes at the start of an inflation-focused week internationally with essential readings in the U.S., Europe, and Australia in focus. In Addition, New Zealand's. reserve bank is set to unveil its financial policy decision on. Wednesday.

I think the base case is that the RBNZ (Reserve Bank of New. Zealand) will hold fire today but by all accounts they are. ready to shoot for further tightening up as needed, Tim. Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade, stated.

Australia's inflation figures are anticipated to have. pushed decently greater, which could possibly delay the. timeline for rate of interest cuts, Waterer included.

In Sydney, gold stocks got 1.6%, marking their. best day because Feb. 16, while banks included 0.6% to end at. a record closing high given that Dec. 2007.

Countering the gains, energy stocks dropped 2.1%,. registering their worst day since early December, as oil costs. extended losses in the middle of issues over a potentially higher U.S. inflation print.

Sector heavyweights Woodside and Santos. fell 1.7% and 5.3%, respectively.

Miners followed suit, slipping 0.4% on the back of. declining iron-ore and copper prices.

Individually, Alumina surged 6.9% following a $2.2. bln buyout quote from U.S. aluminium producer Alcoa in an. all-stock deal.

Throughout the Tasman Sea, the New Zealand S&P/ NZX 50 index. fell 0.09% to 11,709.89 points.

Summerset Group and Goodman Property Trust. topped gains on the criteria, adding 3.4% and 2.6%,. respectively.

The nation's reserve bank is expected to cut rates in. November, while holding its money rate at a 15-year high of 5.50%. on Wednesday, according to a poll.

(source: Reuters)